SCHOOL LIBRARIES WORLDWIDE

Volume 8, Number 1, January 2002

Theme: The Multiple Dimensions of Principal Involvement

An International Study on Principal Influence and Information Services in Schools: Synergy in Themes and Methods [PDF file]
James Henri, Hong Kong University, Hong Kong
Lyn Hay, Charles Sturt University, Australia
Dianne Oberg, University of Alberta, Canada
Abstract
Support of the principal is a key factor in the implementation of effective programs in schools. An international study of the principal's role in developing and supporting school library programs was conducted in Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Japan, Scotland, and South Korea. The purpose of the study was to provide information, for principals and teacher-librarians in countries throughout the world, that might inform their efforts to develop information literate school communities. Principals and teacher-librarians completed three survey instruments: (1) participant demographics; (2) the participants’ perceptions and beliefs about the principals’ current and future roles; and (3) the participants’ views on such concerns as the strengths and challenges of the school library, the contributions of teacher-librarians to teaching and learning, the nature of information literacy, and barriers to integration of information skills. The overall findings of the research project included the following: (1) principals and teacher-librarians differed in age and gender; (2) beliefs of principals and teacher-librarians about the role of the principal were well-aligned except where librarians were not also qualified teachers; (3) principals and teacher-librarians differed most on their current and future perceptions of the role of the principal in advocating and facilitating the development of an information literate school community; and (4) principals and teacher-librarians agreed that principals should spend more time informing new teaching staff about the importance of collaboration with the teacher-librarian.

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Last updated 12 September 2008 (KSB)