The role of school librarians in enhancing science learning

Mega Subramaniam, June Ahn, Amanda Waugh, Natalie Greene Taylor, Allison Druin, Kenneth R. Fleischmann, Greg Walsh

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)3-16
Number of pages14
JournalJournal of Librarianship and Information Science
Volume47
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 15 2015

Keywords

  • School libraries
  • science education
  • science in everyday life
  • science learning
  • socio-cultural learning

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Library and Information Sciences

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