Meeting the challenge of teaching information literacy

Title:

Author:

Reale, Michelle author

ISBN:

9780838946848

Publication:

Chicago : ALA Editions, 2020.

Physical Description:

ix, 112 pages ; 23 cm

Contents:

It don't come easy -- The idea of a concept or the concept of an idea: Information literacy -- Information literacy: Still the "hidden concept?" -- You just don't get it: The harm of persistent librarian stereotypes -- Inching toward the mirror: Self-perception, imposter syndrome and anxiety -- More than just transactional: Faculty, librarians, service and collaboration -- That anxious feeling: Library anxiety as a hindrance to learning -- Exhausted: The emotional labor of librarianship -- Can't we all just get along?: Faculty relationships and collaboration -- Let's give them something to talk about: Communities of practice in the library.

Abstract:

"This book discusses the challenges librarians face when teaching information literacy and offers a springboard for reflection that can lead to change"-- Provided by publisher.

Subject Term:

Information literacy -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- United States.

Information literacy -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- United States -- Case studies.

Academic libraries -- Relations with faculty and curriculum -- United States.

Academic librarians -- Professional relationships -- United States.

Academic librarians -- Professional relationships. (OCoLC)fst01983824

Academic libraries -- Relations with faculty and curriculum. (OCoLC)fst00795063

Information literacy -- Study and teaching (Higher) (OCoLC)fst00972564

Geographic Term:

United States.

Genre:

Case studies.

Local Subject:

LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE COLLECTION

Other Format:

Online version: Reale, Michelle, 1961- Meeting the challenge of teaching information literacy Chicago : ALA Editions, 2020 9780838947135 (DLC) 2019051420

Available:

Library	Call Number	Material Type	Status
Searching... State Library of Oregon	028.7071173 Reale	4-Week Loan	Searching... Unknown

Bound With These Titles

On Order

Summary

While the profession has generated many books on information literacy, none to date have validated exactly why it is so difficult to teach. In her new book, Reale posits that examining and reflecting on the reality of those factors is what will enable practitioners to meet the challenge of their important mandate. Using the same warm and conversational tone as in her previous works, she

uses personal anecdotes to lay out the key reasons that teaching information literacy is so challenging, from the limited amount of time given to instructors and lack of collaboration with faculty to one's own anxieties about the work; examines how these factors are related and where librarians fit in; validates readers' struggles and frustrations through an honest discussion of the emotional labor of librarianship, including "imposter syndrome," stress, and burnout; offers a variety of approaches, strategies, and topics of focus that will assist readers in their daily practice; looks at how a vibrant community of practice can foster positive change both personally and institutionally; and presents "Points to Ponder" at the end of each chapter that encourage readers to self-reflect and then transform personal insights into action.

Author Notes

Michelle Reale is a professor and access services and outreach librarian at Arcadia University. Her books include Inquiry and Research: A Relational Approach in the Classroom , The Indispensable Academic Librarian: Teaching and Collaborating for Change , Mentoring and Managing Students in the Academic Library , Becoming an Embedded Librarian , and Becoming a Reflective Librarian and Teacher: Strategies for Mindful Academic Practice . Her research interests are embedded librarianship, mentoring, narrative inquiry, poetic inquiry, and reflective practice.

Summary:

"This book discusses the challenges librarians face when teaching information literacy and offers a springboard for reflection that can lead to change"--

Reviews (1)

Library Journal Review

Reale (access svcs. and outreach librarian, Arcadia Univ.; Inquiry and Research) draws on her experience to assist academic librarians having a difficult time teaching information literacy. Relating personal anecdotes, she encourages librarians to reflect on and change their own practices. She claims the problem begins with a vague definition and poor understanding of information literacy. The difference in culture between subject faculty and librarians can also hinder collaboration--Reale notes that many librarians feel that their work is not understood or appreciated. Each chapter ends with points to ponder; for instance, the chapter on collaboration asks readers to reflect on their professional values to determine how far they're willing to go to collaborate. Reale also considers stereotypes about the profession as well as librarians' poor self-perception, and recommends that readers establish a community of practice where they can discuss challenges related to instruction. VERDICT Experienced instruction librarians will find themselves in familiar territory here, but new professionals might welcome the overview and reflection questions.--Judy Solberg, Sacramento, CA