Developing the place of books in mediation: from a documentary tool to a mediation device – LivMed

Historically, books have been used to disseminate science. Today, their role is often in the background, confined to the role of documentary resource and its integration is little thought out by the actors. It is more a part of what is similar to professional routines. However, some scientific mediators conceive the role of the book in a more dynamic and innovative way. This study therefore questions the place and role of the book in mediation, considering that all the protagonists of mediation would be enriched if the books were thought of as an innovative device of scientific mediation.
From observations of numerous mediation devices including the book, we will establish a typology of these and will seek to identify their added value and characterize them. In addition, we will propose a way to perpetuate and share these exemplary practices within the networks of actors of scientific mediation and books, but also to create synergy between these actors. This aim at responding to the needs for support and evaluation expressed, not only by the actors of scientific mediation, but also by the actors of the book chain.
Scientifically, few research studies evoke the modalities of recourse to books in scientific mediation systems and document the existing professional practices. Yet this documentary object benefits from an a priori trust and quality. The project to equip mediators with good practices is of major interest at a time of ever-increasing controversy, or even disinformation.