New Research Explores School Librarian’s Teacher Self-Efficacy

CHICAGO – New research published in the American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) peer-reviewed online journal, School Library Research (SLR), examines the difference in school librarians’ teacher self-efficacy among those who worked in elementary, middle, and high schools. SLR promotes and publishes high-quality original research concerning the management, implementation, and evaluation of school libraries. Articles can be accessed for free at www.ala.org/aasl/slr.

The purpose of Jessica Thompson, Michelle Barthlow, and Kelly Paynter’s study was to address the gaps in the literature on school librarians’ self-efficacy and examine librarians’ impact on school achievement in the context of their self-efficacy levels. The research team attempted to determine if elementary school librarians’ self-efficacy could be a predictor of reading scores for the schools’ overall average rates on the Virginia Standards of Learning assessment.

The researchers share their results in “School Librarians’ Teacher Self-Efficacy: A Predictor of Reading Scores?” They found no difference in the levels of teacher self-efficacy among elementary, middle, and high school librarians, and noted a weak but positive predictive relationship between the self-efficacy levels and the schools’ overall average pass rates on standardized testing. The researchers noted the need for an instrument designed strictly for measuring the self-efficacy of school librarians, based on the myriad tasks they perform beyond the teaching role.

School Library Research (ISSN: 2165-1019) is the successor to School Library Media Research (ISSN: 1523-4320) and School Library Media Quarterly Online. The journal is peer-reviewed and indexed by H. W. Wilson’s Library Literature and by the ERIC Clearinghouse on Information & Technology. It welcomes manuscripts that focus on high-quality original research concerning the management, implementation, and evaluation of school libraries.

The American Association of School Librarians, www.aasl.org, a division of the American Library Association (ALA), empowers leaders to transform teaching and learning.