Working Information Literacy: The Instruction Librarian Specialty in Job Advertisements, 1973-2013

Abstract

As information literacy has developed into one of the library profession’s most important guiding principles, library instruction programs have increased in complexity and librarian job duties have expanded. This paper broadly tracks the evolution of information literacy instruction through an examination of select literature, as well as teaching-related requirements listed in select professional job advertisements published in ten-year increments from 1973-2013. These advertisements reflect the growing diversity of teaching-oriented positions appearing over time and the increasingly specialized nature of the required qualifications for those positions. The advertisements also demonstrate how information literacy continues to provide a conceptual rationale by which academic librarians establish themselves as central to the educational missions of their institutions. In light of this ongoing process of situating librarians within campus communities as experts in pedagogy, the profession must consider not only how we are preparing new librarians for specialized teaching roles but also how we can meet the challenges and capitalize on the opportunities inherent in the adoption of such roles.