An analysis of ALA-accredited MLS curricula indicates deficiencies in the initial training provided for public librarians

IF 2.2 4区医学 Q2 INFORMATION SCIENCE & LIBRARY SCIENCE

Health Information and Libraries Journal Pub Date : 2022-06-15 DOI:10.1111/hir.12443

Gabriella Pandolfelli MPH, Jessica A. Koos MLS, MSEd, AHIP, Lisa Benz Scott PhD

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引用次数: 3

Abstract

Background

Public librarians often address patron inquiries regarding health concerns. However, prior research indicates that public librarians may be unprepared to meet the health information requests of patrons.

Objective

This study examined the availability of health-themed courses in American Library Association (ALA) accredited Master of Library and Information Studies/Science (MLIS) programs.

Methods

Accredited MLIS programs were identified using the ALA directory. Curricula were reviewed for health content and public librarianship, children's, and young adult concentrations. Descriptive and bivariate analyses assessed the percent of programs that offered various health-related course content and the differences in availability of such content.

Results

Of the 59 accredited MLIS programs, only 35 (59.32%) listed at least one health elective and none listed a required health course. No MLIS programs that had a public library concentration (n = 21) listed a required or elective health course, two programs with a children's concentration (n = 25) listed health course electives, and one program with a young adult concentration (n = 25) listed a health course elective.

Conclusion

ALA-accredited MLIS programs should consider increasing their offerings or requiring health-related courses to improve the training of public librarians to meet the health information needs of communities.

查看原文本刊更多论文

对ALA认可的MLS课程的分析表明，为公共图书馆员提供的初步培训存在不足。

背景公共图书馆员经常回答顾客关于健康问题的询问。然而，先前的研究表明，公共图书馆员可能没有做好满足顾客健康信息要求的准备。目的本研究考察了美国图书馆协会（ALA）认可的图书馆与信息研究/科学硕士（MLIS）项目中健康主题课程的可用性。方法使用ALA目录确定了信用MLIS程序。对课程的健康内容和公共图书馆、儿童和年轻人的集中度进行了审查。描述性和双变量分析评估了提供各种健康相关课程内容的课程的百分比以及这些内容的可用性差异。结果在59个经认证的MLIS项目中，只有35个（59.32%）列出了至少一个健康选修课，没有一个列出了必修健康课程。没有一个公共图书馆集中的MLIS项目（n=21）列出了必修或选修的健康课程，两个儿童集中的项目（n=25）列出了健康课程选修课，一个年轻人集中的项目。结论经MLIS认证的MLIS项目应考虑增加其课程或要求开设与健康相关的课程，以改善公共图书馆员的培训，满足社区的健康信息需求。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Health Information and Libraries Journal INFORMATION SCIENCE & LIBRARY SCIENCE-

CiteScore

6.70

自引率

10.50%

发文量

期刊介绍： Health Information and Libraries Journal (HILJ) provides practitioners, researchers, and students in library and health professions an international and interdisciplinary forum. Its objectives are to encourage discussion and to disseminate developments at the frontiers of information management and libraries. A major focus is communicating practices that are evidence based both in managing information and in supporting health care. The Journal encompasses: - Identifying health information needs and uses - Managing programmes and services in the changing health environment - Information technology and applications in health - Educating and training health information professionals - Outreach to health user groups