Science-Related Topics in School Library Media Periodicals: An Analysis of Electronic Citation Content From 1998-2004
Summary
Improving student achievement in science is a major thrust of current educational policy in the United States. Can US school library media specialists use articles in recommended school library media publications to approach science-related topics in collection development, collaboration, professional learning, and curriculum integration and be effective partners in achieving this educational imperative? Many school library media specialists use professional periodicals to stay current with new resources and learn role-enhancing strategies, but science topics represented a small number of the total citations of these publications. This study used citations in two major subscription periodical databases and analyzed them for selected aspects of frequency. Few citations described articles about collaboration with science teachers and curriculum involvement. Although professional reading can improve service, the findings of this study indicate that the small number of science-related citations were to articles that tended not to promote deeper involvement with science education.
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Science-Related Topics in School Library Media Periodicals: An Analysis of Electronic Citation Content From 1998-2004
Introduction and Literature Review
Engaging in professional reading by both browsing current periodicals and searching databases is a habit of mind employed by many librarians to stay current with trends and innovations in their field and to gather information about challenges they may face. Results of a survey by Weaver (2002) demonstrated that librarians rely heavily on professional reading for new sources of information about improving their practice; they used only conference attendance more frequently to gain new professional insight. Survey respondents listed browsing new periodicals as well as locating citations to published articles as means of making use of the magazines and journals of library and information services. When this broad spectrum of librarians was asked to list their preferred professional publications, three school library media periodicals ranked among the most popular. Powell, Baker, and Mika (2002), in their study of a survey of research-reading habits, reported that librarians looked on professional reading as an important task, but that they were often frustrated by theoretical rather than practical research in their field. Survey participants mentioned their desire to seek articles that contained immediately useful information presented in a straightforward, jargon-free manner.Similarly, school library media specialists use professional literature to stay abreast of strategies and resources that support...See the full content of this document
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