The Feminization of Archive and Library Leadership in the Spanish Context

Abstract

For the first time, data are used to explore the current degree of management feminization in Spain’s leading archives and libraries. By examining male directors’ perception of the possible implications of the profession’s feminization on their work, this study contributes to research into the feminization of the archival profession and librarianship. The various results were cross-checked, revealing that both current data and 40-year-old data show a prevalence of female leadership and therefore feminized management in Spain’s main archives and libraries. Pertinent contributions on the historical process of these professions’ feminization in Spain are offered, together with surprising data on the low number of female directors in international professional organizations.

Keywords:

• Feminization
• gender
• leadership
• management
• archives
• libraries
• Spain

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was funded by Carlos III University of Madrid’s own funding programme (grant 2022/00002/003/001/036) and Community of Madrid Excellence Project 202000350/001.