Kiley Mullane

LIS 769
February 11, 2014

Reflection Two
School Library Research

School Library Research is the research journal for the American Association of
School Librarians, which is part of the American Library Association. It was formerly
known as School Library Media Research. According to the AASLs website, School
Library Researchs purpose is to promote and publish high quality original research
concerning the management, implementation, and evaluation of school library
programs (School Library Research, 2014). The journal is published annually,
though new research papers are added to the current volumes archive and the
journals website throughout the year. School Library Research is available both
online and in hard copy. According the AASLs website the intended audience of the
journal and its articles are academic scholars, school librarians, instructional
specialists and other educators who strive to provide a constructive learning
environment for all students and teachers (School Library Research, 2014).
Researchers can submit papers directly on through the journals webpage. Any
paper that is being submitted for review cannot have been published or submitted
to any other publications. Papers are reviewed through the double blind referee
process, which can take two to three months. Referees come from both the
academic field as well as practicing librarians who I believe allow for a greater
variety and effectiveness in the peer reviewing process. While it is the AASLs
academic journal, it is read by practicing librarians as well as those in the academic
side of library science. Any copy rights of papers that are selected for publication
then belong to the ALA. This is the traditional process for submitting papers for
publication in academic journals, however I believe the transfer of copyrights should
be rethought.
The topics covered in School Library Research span school librarian and teacher
collaboration, special need students, technology collaboration and adequate library
service for LGBTQ students. One article, entitled Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual,
Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ)-Themed Literature for Teens: Are School
Libraries Providing Adequate Collections? addressed the problem of inadequate
service and representation of LGBTQ students in school libraries was especially
interesting. While it discussed a traditional pillar and topic of libraries; service to all
patrons, it was focused on a topic and group of students that many try and gloss

over. The question the study tried to answer was, are school libraries providing
adequate collections of literature aimed at or about LGBTQ students and
characters? The study found that most schools lacked titles in LGBTQ themed
fiction and non-fiction. The table attached shows the percentage of schools that
had recommended LGBTQ themed titles in their collection.

The lack of school library collections that included these titles surprised me.
Studies such as this one and their publication in School Library Research highlight
these problems and provide readers with the opportunity to address these
problems. While not meant to be a journal for best practices or advice from
practicing librarians, it is still a valuable tool for practicing librarians. It allows them
to read about new ideas and topics in the library and information science realm and
how they affect their library and their students.
http://web.b.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.dom.edu/ehost/detail?sid=748778b0-330b4054-b8ab-1a41db5c2f7c
%40sessionmgr115&vid=1&hid=112&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29
wZT1zaXRl#db=ehh&jid=FASB

Hughes-Hassell, S., Overberg, E., & Harris, S. (2013). Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual,
Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ)-Themed Literature for Teens: Are School
Libraries Providing Adequate Collections? School Library Research, 16, 118.
School Library Research (SLR). (n.d.). Retrieved February 11, 2014, from
http://www.ala.org/aasl/slr