Do Librarians Feel that Their Profession Is Valued in Contemporary Schools?. Issue 1 (2nd January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Merga, Margaret Kristin
• Is Part Of: Journal of the Australian Library & Information Association. Volume 68:Issue 1(2019)
• Page Start: 18
• Page End: 37
• Publication Date: 2019-01-02
• Subjects: Teacher librarian -- school librarian -- job satisfaction -- morale -- valuing -- educational contribution -- staffing vulnerability -- collaboration; Information science -- Periodicals; Information science -- Australia -- Periodicals; Information science -- Pacific Area -- Periodicals; Library science -- Periodicals; Library science -- Australia -- Periodicals; Library science -- Pacific Area -- Periodicals; Information science; Library science; Australia; Pacific Area; Periodicals; 020.5
• DOI: 10.1080/24750158.2018.1557979
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2475-0158

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Teacher librarians are qualified educators, however their educational contribution many not be well known or acknowledged, and they receive scant consideration in the educational research literature. As perception of the valuing of one's profession can influence job satisfaction and morale, this study explores teacher librarians' perceptions of the valuing of their profession in contemporary schools. The teacher librarians interviewed did not typically feel secure in the knowledge that their profession is valued, identifying a range of factors that contributed to this perspective. Respondents often perceived a high level of vulnerability when comparing themselves to their classroom teacher colleagues. Staffing vulnerability, their status as educators outside the classroom, patchy teacher support, low administrator regard and understanding, and the decline of valuing of the profession over time were raised as potential issues influencing teacher librarians' morale. However, teacher librarians often sought to be more effective advocates for their role, refusing to passively accept the status quo. Findings suggest that school administrators may play a powerful role in promoting the valuing of this profession.