Open AccessThe Culture of Inquiry in School Libraries
Author(s) -
Carol A. Gordon
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
school libraries worldwide
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2816-3788
pISSN - 1023-9391
DOI - 10.29173/slw6802
Subject(s) - information literacy , ethnography , sociology , literacy , school library , pedagogy , library instruction , constructivist teaching methods , mathematics education , teaching method , psychology , computer science , anthropology , library science
A culture of inquiry is emerging from research-based information literacy instruction that takes place in school libraries. An ethnographic approach views the culture of inquiry through two lenses: (1) cultural anthropology and an emerging theory of evidence-based information literacy instruction, and (2) Tylor's anthropological definition of culture which serves as a framework to examine the knowledge, beliefs, art, morals, law, and customs of instruction. An emerging theory of information literacy instruction unique to school libraries identifies constructivist learning theory as the knowledge source and evidence-based practice as the underlying belief.