Collaboration as an Essential Tool in Information Literacy Education 9-16: Context, Qualities and Implications

This article addresses the research question of how contemporary school librarians can best surmount the challenges of limited funding and high expectations. The author argues that in order to provide effective information literacy instruction, school librarians should increase collaboration with academic librarians. A review of the literature identifies numerous articles describing individual collaborations and lamenting information literacy skills gaps among college students. This article intends to serve as a call to action to school and academic librarians. This literature review explores the context for collaboration in libraries, discusses examples of school library collaborations, and examines the implications of various aspects of collaboration

The Peer Review Process: Understanding the Process and Strategies for Success

Peer review is one way scholarly journals can maintain rigor and increase the quality of published manuscripts. The purpose of this article is to describe in detail the peer review process as implemented by the Journal of Research in Technical Careers. Suggestions for successful submissions are provided, including common problems that lead to delays in the peer review and publication process or even rejection. Clarification on topics such as self-plagiarism will be of particular interest to graduate student authors or early career researchers. Questions frequently encountered by the journal editors are also addressed

Career Exploration at the Middle School Level: Barriers and Opportunities

In this essay, we discuss issues related to the integration of career exploration in our nation’s middle schools. We discuss the theoretical and empirical basis for career exploration at the middle school level and identify selected barriers to its effective implementation, namely with regards to career advising and parent involvement. We also propose new directions for practice and research as we work to counteract these barriers

The Policy Dynamics of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (2000)

This study examines the creation and implementation of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act 2000 (TVPA). This research builds on the literature in the area of the policy-making process, specifically focusing on the issue attention cycle, agenda setting, and implementation. This study begins with a focus on the role the media plays in framing the issue, turns to a consideration of Congress and the passage of the TVPA, and concludes with an examination of the implementation of the act through executive branch use of sanctions. I suggest that human trafficking was framed as a criminal justice issue by both the media and Congress, thus shaping the implementation of the policy at home and abroad

Recommended Practices for Library Collections for English Language Learners

The number of English Language Learners (ELLs) in elementary and secondary education continues to increase and diversify. To serve the needs of this student population, both P12 school libraries and university level curriculum materials libraries must modify their collections to prepare ELL students and classroom educators for success. One such college library recently undertook a project in which we surveyed the literature and current practice regarding ELL collections and services. This presentation covers the results of this study and encourages the provision of a diverse range of quality materials. Grounded in the specific context of one large school district, as well as the broader context of changing U.S. demographics, recommendations include acquiring materials that support the home languages of students and maximizing visibility of other unique formats that will benefit ELLs and other student populations, such as graphic novels and hi-lo books

Testing Future Teachers: A Quantitative Exploration of Factors Impacting the Information Literacy of Teacher Education Students

This study assesses the information literacy skills of a sample of undergraduate teacher education students, as measured by the iSkills assessment, and aims to determine student demographic and academic characteristics that may predict success on this assessment. The study repeats the methodology of a study of first-year students at the same institution two years before in order to provide insight into the information literacy proficiency of future teachers. Using hierarchical multiple regression analysis, transfer credits were found to be a statistically significant predictor of higher iSkills performance. Results are also discussed in the context of the recent adoption of the ACRL Framework for Literacy for Higher Education

The Peer Review Process: Understanding the Process and Strategies for Success

Peer review is one way scholarly journals can maintain rigor and increase the quality of published manuscripts. The purpose of this article is to describe in detail the peer review process as implemented by the Journal of Research in Technical Careers. Suggestions for successful submissions are provided, including common problems that lead to delays in the peer review and publication process or even rejection. Clarification on topics such as self-plagiarism will be of particular interest to graduate student authors or early career researchers. Questions frequently encountered by the journal editors are also addressed

Ethnography in Action: Active Learning in Academic Library Outreach to Middle School Students

This article describes an outreach activity developed and coordinated by academic librarians as part of a state program for low-income middle school students. Rather than offering a traditional library tour, the library organizers wanted to provide the middle school students with a meaningful experience that would encourage active participation, critical thinking, and alleviate library anxiety. As a spin on the traditional tour, students applied an ethnographic approach to learning about the library. The authors describe the development and implementation of the activity and provide recommendations for other librarians involved in outreach to K-12 students