Learning to Teach in MLIS Programs: Research, Experiences, & Ways Forward
Click here for a complete transcript with accompanying slides from the October 29 conversation between Kirsten Hostetler, Nicole Pagowsky, Yvonne Mery, Monica Lourenco, and Sarah O’Hare.
Video to come.
Dr. Hostetler’s Provocation Series essay, The iSchool Equation, looks at the disconnect between the teaching responsibilities many librarians have, and the comparative lack of support for developing teaching skills in many LIS programs.
Drawing on the experiences she heard from librarians in her research, Dr. Hostetler lays out four recommendations, and highlights existing models, including UArizona’s Graduate Certificate in Instruction and Teaching for Librarians and Information Professionals.
In this conversation moderated by Nicole Pagowsky, we also hear from Monica Lourenco and Sarah O’Hare, two recent UArizona graduates, about their experiences in the transition from MLIS programs to teaching roles. Yvonne Mery will provide additional insights on the development of UArizona’s model program, and how it is evolving to serve the profession.
Read The iSchool Equation here https://projectinfolit.org/pubs/provocation-series/essays/the-ischool-equation.html
Project Information Literacy has a long-standing commitment to improving teaching in libraries and The iSchool Equation addresses the need for support that begins before graduation. In conducting her research, Dr. Hostetler heard about the shortcomings of MLIS education for instruction. In writing the essay, she turned to solutions, and identified the certificate program at The University of Arizona School of Information as a useful model. Because she had identified UArizona’s program in the essay, PIL chose to reach out and invite them to sponsor this work after the essay was written and finalized. The UArizona iSchool is proud to support the work of PIL in order to advocate for students and current practitioners through providing this opportunity to have a wider discussion of such a critical aspect of MLIS preparation and work.
Kirsten Hostetler
Kirsten Hostetler is Instruction and Outreach Faculty at Central Oregon Community College and a PIL Research Analyst. She recently completed her PhD at Old Dominion University, and her study of design processes used by academic librarians raised deeper questions about overall preparation for teaching. Her essay brings those challenges and some potential solutions to the forefront.
Nicole Pagowsky
Nicole Pagowsky is an Associate Librarian at the University of Arizona Libraries. She works closely as liaison librarian and adjunct faculty with the UArizona School of Information, developing curriculum that supports teaching within the graduate program and teaching certificate. She is also a liaison to the College of Education and has a second Master’s in Instructional Design. Find her at @nope4evr on Twitter.
Monica Lourenco
Monica Lourenco started her career in education by teaching preschool students in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. As an adult, she moved to the United States, obtained her doctoral degree in Education, and taught students with special needs (K – 12) for seventeen years. Monica’s passion for books, information, and literature inspired her to pursue her MLIS, through the UArizona School of Information. She graduated in May of 2021.This is her second year as a High School Librarian, in Phoenix, Arizona.
Sarah O’Hare
Sarah O’Hare is a Librarian on the Business Services team with the Spokane County Library District and is a recent MLIS graduate from the University of Arizona. She also holds an MA in Critical Theory and Creative Research from the Pacific Northwest College of Art, and she is a co-Chair for the City of Spokane’s Ethics Commission
Yvonne Mery
Yvonne Mery, Associate Librarian, leads the Instructional Design and e-Learning unit at the University of Arizona Libraries. She is also adjunct professor in the iSchool at the University of Arizona where she teaches courses in research methods and e-learning. She is the co-founder of Sidecar Learning, an e-learning platform.
