Real-World Research: A Qualitative Study of Faculty Perceptions of the Library\u27s Role in Service-Learning

Service-learning, a growing pedagogy in higher education, provides opportunities for students to contribute to communities and to reflect upon experiences ranging from direct service to advocacy. Librarians have an important but underutilized role in supporting service-learning as they contribute to institutional missions and the public purposes of academia. However, there is a gap in the literature related to faculty perceptions of information literacy instruction and skills related to service-learning. The researcher used semi-structured in-depth interviews, investigating these perceptions among 12 faculty across 10 disciplines. Findings support the role of library instruction in service-learning, with a focus on helping students engage with non-scholarly sources. Conclusions also suggest a need for additional marketing of library services to faculty who may have misconceptions about librarians’ scope of practice. The article also discusses implications relative to student success and ongoing articulation of academic library value