IASL Research Abstracts: 104

Findings: The introduction of courses on information literacy as part of the formal preparation of teachers and teacher-librarians has been an important development in Jamaica. Such factors as communication and leadership affect collaboration between teachers and school librarians in information literacy skills instruction.

Abstract: There has been an increasing interest in information literacy among library professions and school librarians in Jamaica since the early 1990s. However, although the new curriculum for Grades 7 to 9 with its emphasis on integration offers opportunities for the successful integration of information literacy skills across the curriculum, this has not been taken into practice. "Library skills" are still generally taught in isolation in schools. This paper looks at the collaboration between teachers and school librarians necessary for the effective teaching of information literacy skills in schools with specific reference to secondary schools in Jamaica. It discusses the barriers that school librarians sometimes face in seeking to teach collaboratively as a result of perceptions held of their role in the delivery of the curriculum. It argues that, if the goal of information literacy is to be achieved, school librarians will need to forge strategic partnerships with stakeholders who can help to influence change. See:

Harris, M.E. (2003). Creating partnerships for information literacy in Jamaican schools. In S. Zinn, G. Hart and E. Howe (Eds.) School libraries: Breaking down barriers (pp.219-226). Seattle: International Association of School Librarianship.

Subject Categories: 3, 10, 22