Librarians as Teachers: A Qualitative Inquiry into Professional Identity

Abstract

This study explores the development of “teacher identity” among academic librarians through a series of semistructured interviews. Drawing both on the idea of teacher identity from the literature of teacher education and on existing studies of professional stereotypes and professional identity development among academic librarians, this study explores the degree to which academic librarians think of themselves as teachers, the ways in which teaching has become a feature of their professional identity, and the factors that may influence academic librarians to adopt a “teacher identity” as part of their personal understandings of their role on campus.

Tendencias de la alfabetización informativa en Iberoamérica

“…¿El hábito hace al maestro? (Walter, 2008 Ya se mencionó la necesidad de alfabetizar informacionalmente a quienes en su vida profesional serán, posiblemente, bibliotecólogos docentes ¿cómo lograrlo? La alfabetización informacional "natural" debe ser parte de los estudios universitarios.…”

Asking Questions in the Classroom: An Exploration of Tools and Techniques Used in the Library Instruction Classroom

“…Respondents in their study noted theoretical frameworks, intentional pedagogy, and other variables that add to the deduction that, if not definitively teachers, librarians engage in teaching. Other studies have measured teacher-identity through analyzing core job requirements, teaching skills (Brecher & Klipfel, 2014), education and preparedness (Walter 2008), and development and articulation of teacher identity (Lupton, 2002). Lupton extends the distinction between teacher-librarians and teaching librarians, stating, "…the teacher-librarian's approach and understanding is grounded in the assumption that their role is primarily that of an educator.…”

Realizing Partnership Potential: A Report on a Formal Collaboration Between a Teaching and Learning Centre and Libraries at the University of Toronto

“…Librarians' teaching responsibilities are expanding, as their work extends beyond A classrooms and into online platforms (Walter, 2008). Librarians increasingly develop and deploy information literacy instruction, often with faculty (O'Clair, 2012), and have been making inroads into instructional design and educational technology (Shank & Dewald, 2012).…”

“…Although instruction has long been part of academic librarianship (Hopkins, 1982), there has been a sharp upward trend in the amount of librarians' time and effort dedicated to teaching (Walter, 2008), which is now seen as a core service (Sproles, Johnson, & Farison, 2008). Librarians' teaching responsibilities are expanding, as their work extends beyond A classrooms and into online platforms (Walter, 2008).…”