Difusão do conhecimento e o teletrabalho: percepções de bibliotecárias(os) do Instituto Federal do Ceará

Abstract

This research addresses telework and knowledge diffusion in the libraries of the Federal Institutes of Education, Science, and Technology (IFs), with the aim of analyzing the perceptions of librarians at the Federal Institute of Ceará (IFCE) regarding the adoption of telework and the ways in which this modality affects the process of knowledge diffusion in IFCE libraries. It considers the problem that the scarcity of studies and the absence of regulations for librarians that support the adoption of telework in IF libraries hinder the implementation of this modality and consequently limit these professionals’ access to this form of work. Methodologically, the study is grounded in phenomenology as its epistemological basis and is characterized as a case study, as well as bibliographic, exploratory, and descriptive research. The locus of the investigation is the IFCE, with 47 librarians invited to participate. Data were collected through an electronic questionnaire, which obtained 41 responses, and four interviews, analyzed qualitatively. The study demonstrated that telework is a feasible and legitimate modality already integrated into the daily routine of IFCE librarians, especially in partial arrangements, expanding knowledge diffusion through Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) without replacing the importance of in-person activities. The results indicate favorable perceptions toward telework, associated with autonomy, flexibility, and improved quality of life, although challenges remain, such as lack of institutional standardization, infrastructure inequalities, need for specific training, and risk of weakened professional bonds. The findings show that technical and administrative activities are widely achievable remotely, while public mediation also requires in-person service, reinforcing partial telework as the most balanced solution. The study further revealed that telework reshapes librarianship practices, shifting mediation to multiple digital channels and strengthening the role of libraries within hybrid learning ecosystems. It concludes by validating the hypothesis that, in the perception of IFCE librarians, telework is viable in partial execution within the institution’s libraries, bringing both positive and negative effects on knowledge diffusion, which vary according to the activities performed and institutional conditions.