Article
Academic Librarians’ Attitudes about Civic-Mindedness and Service Learning
The Library Quarterly
(2017)
Abstract
Although discourse on the civic engagement of libraries as institutions is plentiful, there has been
little discussion of librarians as individuals. Librarianship is more than being a trustee of information.
It includes responsibility for the common good. Libraries provide tools for education on social
and political issues, but they can also collaborate in activities that improve well-being in their communities.
Participating in service learning is one way that librarians on academic campuses can get
involved. This study used a standardized scale to measure civic-mindedness among academic librarians
and examine characteristics and activities, including service learning, related to variation in its
scores. Results indicated that although most respondents made financial or service contributions,
the group mean on the civic-mindedness scale was only moderate. Librarians who volunteered,
had interest in service learning, or participated in community activities were more civic-minded than
professionals who did not. Implications for the profession are discussed.
Disciplines
Publication Date
January, 2017
DOI
10.1086/689311
Publisher Statement
© 2017 by The University of Chicago
Citation Information
Maureen Barry, Laura A. Lowe and Sarah E. Twill. "Academic Librarians’ Attitudes about Civic-Mindedness and Service Learning" The Library Quarterly Vol. 87 Iss. 1 (2017) ISSN: 00242519 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/maureen_barry/9/