Teachers' Attitudes Toward Library Use

Abstract

The purpose of this mixed-method study was to explore attitudes of high school teachers toward the use of the school library by students to complete research projects. Public high school teachers were surveyed (N=81) about their attitudes toward student use of the school library. Statistical analyses revealed no significant differences among teaching disciplines nor between genders. Tests also revealed no correlation between survey responses and time teaching. Interviews were conducted to further explore attitudes toward student library use. Interview results suggested that teachers considered the library useful in the completion of research projects but were reluctant to require students to the library. The results suggested that strategies are necessary to mitigate reluctance to include school library resources as a component of assigned research projects.

“What Library?”

“…In line with AASL Standards, teacher librarians frequently help teachers by providing instructional support, collaboration, and professional development. Studies show the more closely teachers work with teacher librarians, the more useful teachers find teacher librarians to be (Golden, 2021). Administrators, too, value school libraries when they communicate with their teacher librarians and the librarian's roles are clearly defined (Taylor, 2016).…”