1. Olivia Hobbs, Salisbury University Contact: orhobbs123@gmail.com
Examining a Librarian’s Authority Through Feminist Pedagogy
Olivia Hobbs, Salisbury University Contact:
The Basics of Feminist Pedagogy
The Risks of Feminist Pedagogy
“The feminist teacher is above all a role model of a leader” – Carolyn Shrewsbury
Active/engaged learning environment
Focus on empowerment, community, and leadership
Dedicated to social justice issues
Anti-hierarchal
Not considered actual teaching because teacher refuses ultimate authority
Expects students to take responsibility for learning
Faculty and librarians already struggle to collaborate
Issues with Authority
How to Balance Feminist Pedagogy & Authority
Patriarchal
Ignores personal experience
Prevents collaboration
Both the student and librarian should be an active teacher and learner
Present strength of information expertise to faculty, rather than subject expertise
Without Feminist Pedagogy
With Feminist Pedagogy
The ACRL Framework on Authority
Professor
Librarian
Student
Professor
Student
Librarian
Student
Professor
Librarian
“acknowledge they [the students] are developing their own authoritative voices in a particular area and recognize the responsibilities this entails, including seeking accuracy and reliability, respecting intellectual property, and participating in communities of practice”
“understand the increasingly social nature of the information ecosystem where authorities actively connect with one another and sources develop over time.”
“Our labor as academic teachers is unthinkable without acknowledging our positions of institutionally sanctioned authority and power”
– Carmen Luke
Feminist pedagogy should empower both the student and the librarian.