The role of school librarians in enhancing science learning

Abstract

School librarians play a pivotal role in facilitating learning of all subjects in primary and secondary schools in the United States, but their potential contributions to science have not been explored. In this paper, we show how school librarian practices can directly enhance aspects of science education by providing concrete examples from a study where we engaged school librarians to co-design and co-implement a science-infused after-school program. We found that librarians are a strong asset in science learning, as they foster youth engagement in authentic inquiry practices and engage young people’s everyday life interests in science learning. This study contributes new insight into how librarians can use their expertise to enhance science education efforts in schools.

Empowering Teacher Librarians to Support STEM Education: Preliminary Findings

“…Digital resources and tools enrich student learning by enabling them to comprehend, visualize, and explain difficult concepts by providing authentic learning and analytical experiences, such as demonstrations, simulations, experiments, and observations of real world events. Teacher librarians, as information specialists, can find resources to support STEM content areas for teachers to utilize in their instruction (Rawson, Anderson, Hughes-Hassel, 2015;Subramaniam et al, 2013). The increased sense of urgency around how to effectively use digital tools and content to impact student learning, paired with teacher's continued struggles and discomfort with using digital content, positions teacher librarians to train and model for teachers how to effectively use technology for STEM learning (Anonymous, 2012;Mardis, 2014;Subramaniam et al, 2013).…”

“…https://iasl-online.org Yet, despite these opportunities for teacher librarians to become actively involved in STEM education, research suggests that teacher librarians are not embracing them (Johnston, 2018;Subramaniam et al, 2012;Subramaniam et al, 2013). One of the major barriers reported is the teacher librarians themselves.…”

“…One of the major barriers reported is the teacher librarians themselves. Previous research finds that teacher librarians do not feel confident in their content knowledge of STEM areas and therefore hesitant to collaborate with teachers (Johnston, 2018;Mardis, 2007;Rawson et al, 2015;Schultz-Jones, 2010;Subramaniam et al, 2012;Subramaniam et al, 2013;Young, 2013). Additionally, teacher librarians state they have not been adequately prepared in school library preparation programs to support and collaborate in the STEM areas, and then in practice there is a lack of professional reading and professional development opportunities in these areas (Johnston, 2018).…”

STEM Library Activities in Croatian Primary School Curriculums

“…Many authors recognize technology as a catalyst for better learning and teaching (Colegrove, 2016;Glatthorn, 2019;Johnson, 2017;Subramanianet al, 2013). Subramaniam et al (2013) examined the role of school librarians in enhancing science learning. While conducting the design-based research, they provided concrete examples of how librarians encouraged young people to learn science and facilitated social interaction in science.…”

“…However, librarians also should be aware of their influence in other educational areas, as indicated in global frameworks and in guidelines and trends in librarianship and education overall. There are numerous works that emphasize the role of the library in facilitating STEM education (Mardis, 2007, Subramaniam et al, 2013, Pards, 2018, Subramaniam et al, 2013, Johnston, 2017. Johnston (2017) states that teacher librarians could provide "real-world collaborative learning opportunities to promote STEM learning.…”