THE DEMATERIALIZATION OF KNOWLEDGE: STRATEGIC IMPACTS AND CHALLENGES OF THE DIGITALIZATION OF COLLECTIONS IN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS

Resumen

The digitization of academic collections has become a strategic imperative for Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), driven by multiple factors that transcend the simple conversion of physical media into digital formats. This process is primarily motivated by the need to democratize access to information, allowing the academic community and society to enjoy content in a fast and decentralized manner. In addition to optimizing document management workflows and reducing dependence on costly physical spaces, digitization promotes the preservation of institutional memory against risks of physical degradation and disasters. This article proposes an in-depth analysis of the implications arising from the migration to digital media, with an emphasis on the reconfiguration of university libraries as data intelligence centers and compliance with the Brazilian regulatory framework, specifically MEC Ordinance No. 315/2018 and the General Data Protection Law (LGPD). The methodology is based on a qualitative exploratory-descriptive approach, supported by a systematic literature review and a careful documentary analysis of legal provisions and guidelines from the Brazilian Public Key Infrastructure (ICP-Brazil). The research sought to understand the operational, technological, and cultural impacts of dematerialization for staff and users. The results show that the digital transition favors the dissemination of knowledge on an expanded scale and interoperability between academic management systems, although it requires robust infrastructure and continuous training. Set in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the study explores innovative future perspectives, such as the use of Artificial Intelligence for semantic indexing, the employment of Learning Analytics for teaching personalization, and the adoption of Blockchain to ensure the immutability and authenticity of scientific production. It is concluded that the digitization of the collection is, simultaneously, a driver of institutional innovation and a pillar of academic sustainability, consolidating the relevance of HEIs in a scenario marked by technological acceleration and the demand for information security.