For immediate release |
New Research Analyzes Book Censorship and the Role of School Librarians
CHICAGO – Newly published research study from the American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) peer-reviewed online journal, School Library Research (SLR), used surveys and interviews to analyze book censorship in Texas school libraries. Articles can be accessed for free at www.ala.org/aasl/slr.
In the recently published “Books and Barriers: The Influence of Book Censorship on the Role of School Librarians, Their Self-Efficacy, and Well-Being” Misty Schattle and Johnny O’Connor present a study examining how school librarians in a Texas school district are impacted by book censorship policies. The researchers collected data via interviews to analyze two central research questions.
This research found that book censorship has a detrimental effect on school librarians, both in their day-to-day work, and in plans for their future career and job satisfaction. The researchers acknowledge the small, localized sample size, and recommend future research in other areas, as well as qualitative research on the mental health and stress of school librarians with factors besides censorship and collection development.
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.
Contact:
James Major
Manager, Professional Learning
American Association of School Librarians (AASL)
jmajor@ala.org
