Jesús Lau presented on business practices in Mexican libraries. He discussed key topics such as an introduction to Mexico's demographics and economy, an overview of the types and statistics of libraries in Mexico, environmental and cultural factors influencing Mexican libraries, and business practices specific to academic libraries. Some of the factors discussed included vague concepts of libraries among authorities, erratic library budgets relying on grants, limited number of librarians and library education primarily being at the undergraduate level. Business practices in Mexico require more time and paperwork than in the US and emphasize social relationships and patience over quick deals.

1. BUSINESS PRACTICES
IN
MEXICAN LIBRARIES
Talk to OCLC Staff
Ohio Computer Library Center (OCLC)
Dublin, OH, April 8, 2004
www.oclc.org
Jesús Lau, Ph.D.
Director, USBI Veracruz Library, and
Coordinator, UV Virtual Library
Veracruz, México
jlau@uv.mx / jlau@uacj.mx
Personal: http://bivir.uacj.mx/lau
Institutional: www.uv.mx

2. Topics to discuss
• Introduction to the country
• Overview of libraries
• Environmental factors influencing libraries
• Library culture in academic institutions
• Library business practices
• Focus on academic libraries

3. Mexican Demographics
• 14th in geographical size
• 7th in exports
• 2nd trade partner of the US
• Largest Spanish-speaking country
• 2nd Economy in Latin America
• Middle income country
• Literacy 90%
• Ranks with some of the best libraries in
Latin America

4. Library Statistics
Type Centers Volumes
School 4,689 17,162,907
Academic 1,133 16,422,598
Special 175 2,576,889
Public 5,313 27,067,572
National 1 1,250,000
Others 5 449,160
Total 11,315 64,179,126

5. Environmental Factors
• Authorities have a vague concept of libraries
• Government “transparency” affect acquisitions
• Library budgets come mainly from grants / PIFI
• Budgets are erratic
• Planning span influenced by institutional and
government elections
• Hierarchical management centralizes decision-
making

6. Library Cultural Factors
• Number of librarians is limited (3,000)
• Most library directors are not librarians
• Library education is mainly at
undergradate level
• Library management posts are short-term
• Few library directors have the opportunity
to travel abroad

7. Librarians: Cultural Factors
• Time is a flexible concept
• Planning is basically short term
• Written replies take time
• Personal interactions are more effective

8. International Sales/Pricing
• International vendors use US/European
schemes: number of students and faculty
• MX universities focused on teaching
• Universities have limited research activity
• Professors/lecturers do little research
• Science inquiry is done by researchers not
professors
• English is a barrier for information demand
• Pedagogy is teaching-centered

9. Library Business Practices
• Deals take longer than in the US
• Paper work is complex
• “Early political” years are the best
• Patience and respect are important
• People are more important than business
• Social relations and family are also important
• Avoid discussion of politics, religion and
binational history

10. Conclusions
• Mexico is a middle developed and large
country
• Libraries/information are part of latter socio-
economic development
• Mexican libraries need international
services / products
• Free trade policies opened the Mexican
library market to international competition
• Environmental and cultural factors play a
crucial role to succeed in sales

11. Websites on Mexican Business Practices
•Cultura de negocios en México
http://www.missionbayhigh.com/sister_cities/spanish/sp_resources_tj_busin
ess.html
•Hacer negocios
http://www.solutionsabroad.com/espanol/d_hacernegocios.asp
•Información y orientación: información para hacer negocios
http://www.mexicocity.com.mx/orienta.html
•México: guía de negocios 2003.
http://www.cera.org.ar/guiadenegocios/Guia_de_Negocios_2003_Mexico.pd
f
MEXICO Información de negocios.
http://mx.gotolatin.com/Info_s/Hbook/business.asp
Prácticas de negocios en México
http://mx.news.yahoo.com/030116/36/tsg9.html