University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Examining the Preparation For Reference-Based Instruction Among Academic Librarians

Edwards, Elizabeth Marie

Content Files
Edwards_CAS.doc

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/9762

Description

Title
Examining the Preparation For Reference-Based Instruction Among Academic Librarians
Author(s)
Edwards, Elizabeth Marie
Contributor(s)
Haythornthwaite, Caroline A.
Issue Date
2009
Keyword(s)
  • Librarians -- Pre-service education
  • Academic librarians.
  • Academic Libraries
  • Reference services
  • Education
  • Librarians -- In-service training
Date of Ingest
2009-03-18T18:33:24Z
Abstract
In the course of a reference transaction, academic librarians are expected to help patrons both find the information they are seeking while educating the patron about the process of finding, evaluating, and using information. For many academic librarians, however, the pre-service preparation for these teaching expectations is woefully limited. This study examines how the education and training of academic librarians prepares them for the teaching expectations of reference work. The professional experiences of librarians at a research university are considered in the context of the current curricular focus of American Library Association-accredited degree-granting institutions, as well as of the training curriculum provided at the institution where they are currently employed. The results of this study indicate that while academic librarians are keenly aware of the instructional expectations inherent in their reference work, they are poorly prepared to meet these expectations by both their pre-service education and on-the-job training. The results of this study have implications for both library and information science educators and for the libraries that hire new librarians.
Type of Resource
text
Genre of Resource
Dissertation / Thesis
Language
en
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/9762

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