What Did You Call Me? Results of a Pilot Study to Investigate Perspectives from Future School Library Administrators about Appropriate Job Titles

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by dawugda

The article examines how future school library administrators define an appropriate job title for their position. A pilot study, framed by the research question on preferred titles, gathers demographic information and reports participants’ job title preferences. The study also explains how feedback from the pilot will inform revisions to the data collection instrument for a subsequent large-scale investigation. Context is built through prior literature on titles, roles, responsibilities, and professional status.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages8

Reading Time20 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

Purpose of Study / Research Question

Review of Literature: Roles, Responsibilities, and Status of School Library Administrators

What Did You Call Me? Results of a Pilot Study to Investigate Perspectives from Future School Library Administrators about Appropriate Job Titles By Renee E. Franklin, Syracuse University Abstract The topic of the appropriate job title for school library administrators has been written about in earlier literature but has not addressed the issue from the perspective of future school library administrators. This article presents the results of a pilot study that was guided by the research question: What do future school library administrators believe is an appropriate title for their position? The article reports demographic data, reveals participants’job title preference, and discusses the ways that pilot study feedback will shape the revised data collection instrument to be used in a large-scale study. Introduction A movie produced in 2006 by playwright-turnedscreenwriter Tyler Perry included a scene wherein the main character attempted to comfort a teenager fretting about being teased by her classmates.“It ain’t [sic] what people call you,” Madea explained.“It’s what you answer to.” This response succeeded in consoling the upset teen, but should that same principle be applied with respect to school library administrators? 1 Names, including job titles, have meanings that “convey an image, accord a particular standing, a degree of respect, and a perception of worth”(Cummins, 2001, p. 9). That is, an individual’s job title not only indicates her job duties but provides a classification of sorts that speaks to that individual’s value and status within an organization (Baron & Bielby, 1986) . More specifically, the school library administrator’s title is important because it sets expectations for the title bearer, his colleagues, and others with whom he comes into contact (Garvey, 2000) . In order for the next generation of school library administrators to establish positions of importance in the school and broader professional community, it is of benefit for them to contribute to the conversation about their preferred moniker. Many times, the term of choice for an individual with the appropriate credentials to work in a library is simply‘librarian.’ However, as was noted by Braun (2002),“librarians are not just called librarians anymore. Increasingly their job responsibilities and titles provide a framework for the …role that they play within the library”(p. 46) . If Braun’s statement is accurate, what is the appropriate title for individuals who render service ina K-12 school library environment? Previous writings 1 In this study, the term ‘school library administrator’ is defined as an individual who is responsible for managing a school library media center. on the topic of school library administrator job titles have generally been in the form of brief editorials that make inquiries but leave unanswered what job titles school library administrators prefer and why they have chosen these titles. Additionally, prior examinations have focused on current practitioners as opposed to individuals preparing to enter the field. It is important for the next generation of school library administrators to have input in determining which designation adequately symbolizes the multi-faceted and essential roles associated with their chosen profession. Purpose of Study/Research Question This article presents the results of the researcher’s initial inquiry into the topic of school library administrator job titles. The researcher sought an answer to the question: What do future school library administrators (those individuals who are currently enrolled in school library media certification programs) believe is an appropriate title for their position? To answer this question, a pilot study was conducted through which data were collected from students enrolled in the School Media specialization of a leading Library and Information Studies (LIS) program. Review of Literature: Roles, Responsibilities, and Status of School Lib

FAQs

What research question guides the pilot study?

The pilot study is guided by: What do future school library administrators believe is an appropriate title for their position?

How were participants and data collected for the study?

Data were collected from students enrolled in the School Media specialization of a leading Library and Information Studies (LIS) program.

What will be done with the pilot study results?

Participant feedback will shape revisions to the data collection instrument used in a larger-scale study.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by dawugda