"Am I a Teacher Because I Teach?": A Qualitative Study of Librarians' Perceptions of Their Role as Teachers

Abstract

abstract:Over the past few decades, the demand for academic librarians who can teach information literacy skills to college students has steadily increased. This interview study explores how academic librarians in a mid-Atlantic metro area define the roles of librarians and teachers, value their teaching role as librarians, and view their teacher-librarian identity. While all librarians interviewed highly valued teaching, the sample split between those who identified themselves as teacher-librarians and those who saw themselves as librarians who teach, with one librarian not associating with the teacher role. Discussion includes implications for librarians, librarian educators, and library administrators.