School Library Research from Around the World: Where It's Been and Where It's Headed Karen W
University of South Carolina Scholar Commons
Faculty Publications Library and Information Science, School of
Summer 5-2018 School Library Research from Around the World: Where It's Been and Where It's Headed Karen W. Gavigan University of South Carolina - Columbia, [email protected]
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Publication Info Published in Knowledge Quest, ed. Meg Featheringham, Volume 46, Issue 5, Summer 2018, pages 32-39. Gavigan, K. (2018). School library research from around the world: Where it's been and where it's headed. Knowledge Quest, 46(5), 32-39. © Knowledge Quest 2018, American Library Association.
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Where It’s Been and Where It’s Headed
Karen Gavigan [email protected]
32 Knowledge Quest | International School Libraries All materials in this journal subject to copyright by the American Library Association may be used for the noncommercial purpose of scientific or educational advancement granted by Sections 107 and 108 of the Copyright Revision Act of 1976. Address usage requests to the ALA Office of Rights and Permissions.
Where It’s Been and Where It’s Headed
Volume 46, No. 5 | May/June 2018 33 All materials in this journal subject to copyright by the American Library Association may be used for the noncommercial purpose of scientific or educational advancement granted by Sections 107 and 108 of the Copyright Revision Act of 1976. Address usage requests to the ALA Office of Rights and Permissions.
Editor’s Note: This article is • Hanna Chaterina George and that school librarians can use their adapted from a chapter written Diljit Singh studied the signifi- interpersonal relations with deci- by the author in School Librarian- cant role that two national school sion-makers to help influence school ship: Past, Present, and Future, edited library associations in Indonesia library funding. by Susan Alman (Rowman & played in advancing school library Littlefield 2017). programs. Collaboration • Maud Hell examined school library A significant body of international legislative actions and collabora- research in the school library field Although their research agendas may tions in Sweden. has focused on collaboration. A vary widely, school library research- study in Australia determined that ers from around the world share the • Katherine J. Philip and Emmanuel strong collaborations between school common goal of conducting studies E. Okon described an advocacy librarians and teachers had a positive designed to advance the field of plan for secondary school libraries impact on a project conducted to school librarianship. International in Nigeria. help students avoid plagiarism school library scholars are united (Williamson, Archibald, and in their efforts to prove that quality Elizabeth A. Burns and Ross J. Todd McGregor 2010). Similarly, a group school library programs can have from the United States also presented of librarians and teachers in the a significant impact on student at this 2014 IFLA conference. In United States collaborated to design achievement in their countries her paper, Burns described the a professional development program and around the world. This article advocacy strategies of a group of for elementary school librarians and provides a selective overview of global twelve practicing school librarians in teachers (Montiel-Overall 2010). studies related to school librarian- Virginia. The librarians promoted The findings revealed that knowledge ship. These studies are of interest their resources, programming, and sharing, relationship building, and to researchers as well as practicing library facility through reports environment factors played essential school librarians who want to incor- and social media. The participants roles in developing these successful porate the results from these studies recognized the value of being a leader collaborations. into their library programs. The in the school, and an indispensable studies selected are from issues of member of the school community. Another researcher in the United the journal School Libraries Worldwide Todd’s paper provided an analysis States conducted interviews with from 2010 to 2016 and from papers of ten years of research regarding three second-grade teachers to learn presented at international school school library advocacy initiatives in about their experiences collabo- library conferences during those the United States. rating with school librarians. The years. After analyzing the articles study demonstrated that teachers Advocacy studies conducted in the and papers to determine recurring recognized school librarians to be United States have also appeared topics, the following five themes experts about instructional resources in recent issues of School Libraries emerged from the study: advocacy, and to have an important role in Worldwide. For example, Ann D. collaboration, impact studies, instructional planning (Kimmel Ewbank (2011) published an article reading and reading program, and 2012). Finally, a study in Israel describing a study in which she technology. examined the role that leadership surveyed 381 school librarians from efficacy plays in school librarian Advocacy around the United States. Ewbank and teacher collaborations. The found that only half of the respon- study was based on surveys adminis- Since 2010, the topic of school dents reported that they engaged in tered to school librarians, teachers, library advocacy has been well rep- advocacy activities, with the most and principals in Israel. Findings resented in papers and presentations frequent obstacles being lack of time revealed that strong leadership skills around the world. For example, the and lack of awareness. She followed had a positive impact on collabora- advocacy topics listed below were this national study with her study tions between librarians and teachers presented at the 2014 conference examining the use of Twitter for (Ash-Argyle and Shoham 2012). of the International Federation of school library advocacy (Ewbank Library Associations and Institutions 2015). More recently, the January Impact Studies (IFLA): 2016 issue of School Libraries Worldwide included an article by Ken Haycock For the past four decades, studies • Genevieve Hart examined advocacy and Cheryl Stenström. In this worldwide have demonstrated that initiatives in South Africa. advocacy study, findings suggested school libraries, properly staffed
34 Knowledge Quest | International School Libraries All materials in this journal subject to copyright by the American Library Association may be used for the noncommercial purpose of scientific or educational advancement granted by Sections 107 and 108 of the Copyright Revision Act of 1976. Address usage requests to the ALA Office of Rights and Permissions. and resourced, can have a sig- this study demonstrated that South school librarians played a positive nificant impact on teaching and Carolina’s school librarians and role in helping to develop students’ learning. A study published in school library programs can signifi- reading skills. A study conducted School Libraries Worldwide provided an cantly impact student achievement, as by Kasey L. Garrison, Danielle overview of school library impact evidenced by the results on state tests E. Forest, and Sue C. Kimmel studies conducted in the United for elementary through high school examined the ways that books that States from 1993 to 2005. Alison students. won the Mildred L. Batchelder G. Kaplan examined the effect of Award 2001 to 2013 supported these impact studies and determined Reading and Reading awareness of global human rights that the results of the studies were Promotion and promoted global citizenship. not effectively communicated to The researchers recommended that stakeholders, thus having a minimal School library researchers repre- librarians from around the world effect on decisions and legislation senting countries around the world acquire translated titles from other related to the support of school have repeatedly demonstrated the countries as well as native-language library programs (2010). A Cana- role that school libraries and school titles that promote the basic tenets of dian-based study conducted by Ken librarians have on students’ reading global citizenship (2014). Haycock built on the findings of comprehension and motivation. A previous impact studies. The data variety of articles about reading Two School Libraries Worldwide articles revealed that higher standardized test and the promotion of reading in by researchers in the United States scores for students were associated school libraries were published from described reading issues pertaining with school libraries that were more 2010 to 2016. A study from Nigeria to marginalized readers. Nancy accessible, better funded, profession- examined the participants’ attitudes F. Knapp conducted a study with ally staffed, and with more resources about reading, reading habits, struggling third-grade readers in an (2011). Finally, as part of the pro- reading speed, and their use of the effort to improve their reading test ceedings of the 2015 IASL School library (Oyelude 2013). Findings scores and reading motivation. As Library Regional Meeting in Austin, from the study suggested a need for a result of a reading intervention Texas, Keith Curry Lance and I schools to collaborate on coopera- conducted by volunteers, the students presented the results of the South tive programs and competitions to showed a significant gain in their Carolina Association of School motivate students to read. The test scores, and teachers reported Librarians’ school library impact idea of developing partnerships to positive changes in learners’ reading study, which built on the research of promote reading was also the theme skills and motivation (2013). In a at least twenty-five previous school of a Jamaican study presented at the recent School Libraries Worldwide article, library impact studies conducted 2010 IFLA Conference (Stewart and Stephen Krashen described the in the United States (Lance and Williams 2010). The study found that reading challenges of another group Gavigan 2015). The findings from the partnership between public and of marginalized students, children
International school library scholars are in their efforts to prove that quality school library programs can have a on student achievement in their countries and
Volume 46, No. 5 | May/June 2018 35 All materials in this journal subject to copyright by the American Library Association may be used for the noncommercial purpose of scientific or educational advancement granted by Sections 107 and 108 of the Copyright Revision Act of 1976. Address usage requests to the ALA Office of Rights and Permissions.
of poverty. Krashen determined practices of school librarians with implications that digital gaming has that reading comprehension and National Board Certification who for school librarians. The results motivation of children in poverty were successful technology integra- of the study suggest that learners can improve by investing more tion leaders. Johnston found that maximize their understanding money in libraries, having students relationships and collaborations during challenging, self-regulated, participate in self-selected reading, with principals and teachers helped situated learning activities such as and providing reading programs school librarians play a leadership gaming, and that school librarians that allow for a wide range of reading role in technology integration (2012). can capitalize on the inquiry skills choices (2016). These findings were corroborated and strategies developed through by a study in New Zealand in which gaming (2010). Technology the researcher examined school librarians’ positions as technology Additional Studies Over a dozen articles related to leaders within their schools; Susan school library technology studies Clephane found that the two most Due to space limitations, a variety of were published in School Libraries important factors that enabled worthy studies were not included in Worldwide from 2010 to 2016. Many librarians to become technology this article. Some other important of them demonstrated the sub- leaders were the support of principals issues that school library research- stantial role that school libraries and school librarians’ being ers around the world examined from and school librarians play in proactive in the way they approached 2010 to 2016 include the following: technology infrastructure and their technology role (2014). instruction. A Canadian study by • diversity in school libraries, Jennifer Branch-Mueller and Joanne One of the roles of the school • school library collections, deGroot examined the experiences librarian is teaching students that school librarians and teachers and faculty about digital learning • school library facilities and had after completing a course on resources. Two articles published in learning commons, Web 2.0 technologies. The par- the July 2013 issue of School Libraries • information literacy, ticipants reported that they gained Worldwide focused on digital storytell- competence and confidence in their ing. A study by Rebecca J. Morris • school library leadership, technology skills, and they became investigated ways in which the • school and public library coopera- technology leaders in their schools interactive and participatory role of tion, (2011). Similarly, an Australian study listeners in traditional library story- surveyed school librarians to obtain telling could be extended to digital • school library staffing, and their insights regarding their roles in storytelling spaces (2013). In another • stakeholders’ perceptions of school digital environments. The librarians study Lucy Santos Green built the librarians. felt a strong need to develop and use case for collaboration between their technology skills to become school librarians and English as a To access studies focused on these technology leaders (O’Connell Second Language (ESL) teachers topics and to read the studies 2014). In another case study, Judi to design student-centered digital presented in this article, please Moreillon examined the creation of story projects. Her article provides see the International Association a Twitter chat group for professional an overview of the theories and of School Librarians (IASL) and development activities. The results of pedagogy relative to using digital sto- International Federation of Library the study revealed the value that the rytelling with ESL students (2013). Associations and Institutions (IFLA) participating librarians placed on websites; also search for articles on this social media tool (2015). Additional topics represented in the websites of School Library Research school library studies are digital and School Libraries Worldwide. In an effort to help educators textbooks and gaming. In their study develop an understanding of Ji Hei Kang and Nancy Everhart Professional Associations and challenges and solutions regarding compared the dissemination of School Library Research digital learning resources, Marcia digital textbooks in South Korea A. Mardis et al. synthesized the and the United States (2014). A Professional school librarian associa- research regarding digital library Canadian study by Teddy Moline tions like the American Association technology, including the role of the examined the learning experiences of School Librarians (AASL), school librarian (2012). In addition, of eight teenagers when they took IASL, and IFLA play significant Melissa P. Johnston investigated the part in gaming activities, and the roles in encouraging the publica-
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Table 1. Responses to query about topics for future research related to school libraries.
Countries Suggested Research Topics
Canada Information literacy (IL) and the importance of having trained librarians to teach IL skills China Public cultural service for children and young people How to introduce IL issues in recent movements toward a total reform of schooling and education in the country and the role of school libraries; also, LIS education and Croatia ongoing training of school librarians (very much connected to the first topic)
Creating/building school library events in primary school so the kids start thinking that France visiting the library and reading for pleasure are common habits More research on information literacy instruction in secondary schools
Germany Evolution of school libraries
School children’s usage of resources online in education and the school library’s responsibility for making them available and educating students about proper usage Hungary of them
Information design as a tool for information literacy
Italy Environment and sustainability (e.g., developing a “green collection” and school librarians’ role in fostering education on resource sustainability efforts and environmental awareness, etc.)
Japan School children’s usage of resources online in education and the school library’s responsibility for making them available and educating students about proper usage Kenya of them Linkage between efficient school libraries and good academic performance in schools
Future and sustainability of school libraries
Malaysia A need to transform the school library to transform learning in school New Impact of school libraries Zealand School libraries and the difference they make to school learning outcomes Information literacy instruction for high school students ages 16–19
Norway Role of technology integration in school libraries Singapore How to evaluate/measure school library effectiveness Information literacy through the implementation of the personal librarian program
South Africa Global advocacy in best use of resources to bridge the knowledge gap between developed and developing countries
United States School librarians’ role in information and communications technology (ICT) integration
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tion and promotion of studies that Although the answers initially appear Furthermore, international school will be relevant to school librarians to be as diverse as the participants, library associations from around worldwide. For example, AASL’s three topics were mentioned by more the world should encourage col- peer-reviewed journal, School Library than one participant. First, the need laboration on school library studies Research, distributes major research to conduct research regarding infor- between researchers from different findings to researchers and practi- mation literacy was listed by nine countries. These associations can tioners around the world by making participants from the following seven influence future global scholarship its papers freely available at
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Works Cited: Haycock, Ken, and Cheryl Stenström. Implications for Teacher- Ash-Argyle, Ruth, and Snunith 2016. “Reviewing the Research and Librarians and for Researchers.” Shoham. 2012. “Librarians’ Evidence: Towards Best Practices School Libraries Worldwide 16 (2): 1–15. Leadership Efficacy, Training, and for Garnering Support for School Montiel-Overall, Patricia. 2010. School Involvement: Collaboration Libraries.” School Libraries Worldwide “Further Understanding of between Teachers and School 22 (1): 127–42. Collaboration: A Case Study of Librarians in Israel.” School Libraries Hell, Maud. 2014. “Collaboration How It Works with Teachers and Worldwide 18 (1): 1–17. for School Library Legislation Librarians.” School Libraries Worldwide Branch-Mueller, Jennifer, and Joanne and School Library Development 16 (2): 31–54. DeGroot. 2011. “The Power of Web in Sweden.” Presentation at Moreillon, Judi. 2015. 2.0: Teacher-Librarians Become the International Federation “#schoollibrarians Tweet for School Technology Leaders.” School of Library Associations and Professional Development: An Libraries Worldwide 17 (2): 25–41. Institutions (IFLA) World Congress, August 16–22. Lyon, Ethnographic Case Study of Burns, Elizabeth A. 2014. France. #txlchat.” School Libraries Worldwide 21 “Practitioner Strategies for Effective (2): 127–37. Advocacy Engagement in the USA.” International Federation of Library Morris, Rebecca J. 2013. “Creating, Presentation at the International Associations and Institutions. 2015. Viewing, and Assessing: Fluid Federation of Library Associations “IFLA School Library Guidelines, Roles of the Student Self in and Institutions (IFLA) World 2nd ed.” The Hague, Netherlands: Digital Storytelling.” School Libraries Congress, August 16–22. Lyon, IFLA.
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