Estrategias nacionales frente a la soledad no deseada (SND) y bibliotecas: un análisis preliminar en el entorno de la OCDE (National strategies against unwanted loneliness and libraries: a preliminary analysis within the OECD context)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47989/ir31iConf64292Keywords:
Soledad no deseada, Bibliotecas públicas, Análisis de políticas, OCDE, Asilamiento socialAbstract
Introduction. Unwanted loneliness has become a key issue in debates on social health, with significant economic and health implications. Several governments have begun to develop national strategies and design targeted policies to reduce it. This study provides a comparative overview of these strategies across OECD countries, emphasizing the importance of community infrastructures—particularly public libraries—in mitigating social isolation.
Method. An exploratory review (scoping review) was conducted of loneliness-related policies in the 38 OECD member countries, identifying seven national strategies. The study followed the PRISMA 2020 protocol (Page et al., 2021). A coding matrix was applied to evaluate the presence and role of libraries in each strategy.
Analysis. The strategies were examined according to their level of institutional development and funding, as well as the recognition and role of libraries, considering their presence, visibility, and degree of involvement.
Results. The findings reveal uneven institutionalization of loneliness as a public policy issue. Public libraries are present—explicitly or implicitly—in six strategies, though their participation varies widely, ranging from symbolic mentions to programmatic recognition.
Conclusion. Unwanted loneliness emerges as a new field of public action and an opportunity for libraries to strengthen their role as social infrastructures in its prevention.
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