Work

The Perceptions of Supervisors of Library Social Work Interns: Challenges and Recommendations

Year: 2023

Type: article

Abstract: Though the number of public libraries that host student interns is increasing around the world, there is a paucity of research about the experience of supervisors in these placements. This study addresses that absence through qualitative interviews with fourteen individuals with experience supervising library-based social work students. An iterative data analysis elucidated four challenges connected to their roles: (1) philosophical differences between libraries and social work; (2) navigating structural/bureaucracy issues in the library system; (3) managing ethical considerations in students’ work; and (4) negotiating the lack of precedence of the library/social work collaborative. Participants further identified specific tactics they took and/or recommended in response to these challenges. The study concludes with recommendations made by the authors based on the study and the research literature.

Source: Journal of the Australian Library and Information Association

DOI: 10.1080/24750158.2023.2255941

Authors: Mark Giesler, Sarah Johnson, Margaret Ann Paauw

Institutions: Saginaw Valley State University, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Eastern Michigan University

Language: English

Topic: Library Science and Administration

Subfield: Library and Information Sciences

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Quality education

Open Access status: bronze

OpenAlex ID: W4386728629

FWCI: 4.709

Cites: 20

Cited by: 6

Related to: 10