The Challenge of Being Heard When You're One in a Building: Voices of School Librarians

• In Event: AERA Poster Session 11
  In Poster Session: Division H Section 3 Poster Session 1: Perspectives on Assessment in Schools

Abstract

Previous research has explored how stakeholders such as teachers, administrators, and students view school librarians, however the voices of school librarians have rarely been heard. This study analyzes responses of more than 450 school librarians using an adapted Consensual Qualitative Research methodology to identify the perceptions of school librarians regarding their role, the challenges they face, and the ways they influence student achievement. Results indicate that school librarians view their primary role as promoting a love of reading, the greatest challenge they face is not being understood professionally by their colleagues, and the most important way they influence student achievement is by working one-on-one with students. Findings have implications for educators beyond the school library profession and require further examination.

Authors

• Joette Stefl-Mabry, University at Albany - SUNY

• Michael S Radlick, Learning Technology Visions, LLC

• Shannon Mersand, University at Albany - SUNY