Program
ALA Unit/Subunit: ALA
Meeting Type: Program
Cost: Included with full conference registration.
Open/Closed: Open
In our worst moments, librarians can cast students as uninterested, unmotivated, or even lazy. Even unconsciously and with the best of intentions, librarians often make negative assumptions about students’ desire to learn and do good work. This perspective leads to frustration and a hopeless attitude about our work, which should instead be exciting and fun. Attendees will learn strategies to resist this unfair view of students, including:
Spending time interacting with students one-on-one to understand their lives.
Maintaining and clearly communicating high expectations for students.
Addressing students as emerging adults and learners, not as “kids.”
Through practical reflection activities, participants will identify problematic attitudes. Through large and small group discussion, participants will identify specific activities that suit their library environment for employing the strategies described. The presenter will also share reading and resources that can educate, inspire, and revive librarians who feel the pull of the dark side on their outlook toward students.
Sara Arnold-Garza
Research & Instruction Librarian
Cook Library