As a result of literature search, the present work briefly discusses the historical background of the library as a cultural space, evidencing the contexts that did emerge three paradigms, guides of library’s work: the preservation, dissemination and cultural appropriation. Such paradigms defined the functions of the public library. However, the paradigm of cultural appropriation was promoter of the clearer awareness about the relevant place of the mediation of information. By positioning the centrality of cultural appropriation in the mission of this social environment, behaviors and needs of its users acquired an attention status for the development of working with the information, making it clear the condition of the library as a space of cultural mediation. This debate highlights the urgency in reframing cultural practices and activities developed by the library, and also their management practices, to ensure a dialogical perspective of its work, requirement for mediation and appropriation of the information. In conclusion, the formation and preservation of memories were crucial elements to cause library’s appearance, whereas the "look" for behaviors and needs of its users was crucial for debates about mediation and appropriation of the information. At present, the public library is called to act in the domains of memory, mediation and social identity, developing actions guided by these three paradigms that circumscribed their own existence. Go through the paradigms of conservation, dissemination and cultural appropriation is the challenge to be faced by the public library.
Public library; Mediation of information; Memory; Social identity; Cultural appropriation
