Information Literacy in Context: Skill Development in Pre- and In-Service School Librarians

ABSTRACT

Information literacy is a crucial topic in the library science profession. The information needs and perceptions of the information literacy of preservice and early-career school librarians were explored in this research using a survey and interviews distributed nationally over a 5-month time frame. These participants, who have been employed in the field for 5 years or less or are currently completing coursework, were queried about their perceptions of information literacy and how the profession had changed through the course of their graduate work and early-career experiences. Participants felt well prepared and believed their schooling met their need for information in the areas of readers’ advisory and the use of copyright and fair use and for for teaching these topics to students. They also reported that they were well prepared for teaching with educational technology. Participants were least prepared in the area of facilitation of classroom teacher/school librarian collaborations, even though this aspect of their library school experience was highly emphasized. Once graduates were in a library position, they met their information needs by reaching out to mentors, more experienced school librarians, and their professional learning community.

Disclosure statement

This study was registered with the Institutional Review Board at Sam Houston State University. We have no known conflict of interest to disclose.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Heather F. Adair

Heather F. Adair is an Assistant Professor and the Instruction Librarian at Sam Houston State University with 25+ years in K-20 education as an instructor, librarian, and administrator. At SHSU she supports the library’s instructional role in promoting information literacy campus-wide, research in multiple academic subjects, and is the Children’s Literature Librarian. Her research interests include active learning, cyber citizenship, educational leadership, and information literacy.

Ashley B. Crane

Ashley B. Crane is an Assistant Professor and Research & Instruction Librarian at Sam Houston State University, where she works to instill lifelong information literacy and library research skills in preservice and in-service educators. She began her career as a K–12 educator and has experience in school, public, and academic libraries. An ISTE Certified Educator, Ashley’s research interests include effective information literacy instruction and active learning.

Elizabeth A. Gross

Elizabeth A. Gross, MLIS, Ph.D. is Assistant Professor of Library Science at Sam Houston State University. Her Ph.D. is in learning design and technology. Her research focuses on engineering education, perceptions of school librarianship, social justice in the library, and the use of augmented reality in libraries. She has presented widely on these topics. She taught in public education for 20 years and is a member of IASL, TLA, TCEA, and ASEE.