Mexican librarians protest new national library director appointment

Mexican librarians are voicing strong discontent over the recent appointment of Guillermina Pérez Suárez as the new director-general of the National Libraries (DGB). The Mexican Association of Librarians (AMBAC) and the National College of Librarians (CNB) stated that the decision by the Ministry of Culture disregards the principles of professionalization and technical merit essential for leading strategic state institutions.

Both organizations, with a long history of advocating for the library sector in Mexico, expressed concern about the precedent set by this appointment. They argue that a lack of a suitable bibliothecal profile in key positions undermines the development of robust, sustainable public policies aligned with international standards for libraries, information access, and cultural rights.

The librarians emphasized that while Pérez Suárez has a cultural background, it does not substitute the need for professional leadership equipped to address the systemic challenges facing the library system. These include infrastructure, technological updates, collection development, staff training, community engagement, and service enhancement. They maintain that managing the National Public Library Network, a vast and strategic cultural system, demands specialized knowledge in librarianship and information science.

In their statement, AMBAC and CNB reiterated their commitment to libraries, their communities, and Mexico's cultural and educational development. They affirmed their ethical responsibility to clearly signal decisions they believe hinder the strengthening of public libraries and the public's right to quality library services. The associations also expressed their willingness for respectful dialogue and institutional collaboration.