Research & Scholarship Committee

Charge: 
To promote and support research and scholarship opportunities for academic and research librarians by identifying instruction-related topics for study and research. The committee maintains and promotes the Section publication “Research Agenda for Library Instruction and Information Literacy;” interviews scholars for the “Research Agenda Conversations” series; writes and promotes the “Five Things” series on current topics relevant to library instruction; and maintains “A Selective List of Journals on Teaching and Learning.”

Annual Planning:
View planning documents such as annual goals, measuring success reports, or annual reports by selecting the appropriate report from the IS Archive.

Recent Meeting Minutes:
View minutes from committee meetings in the IS Archive.

Roster:
Committee Members & Contact Information (member login)

Publications

Research Agenda Conversations
This blog presents interviews with academic librarians addressing the four topics covered in the ACRL Research Agenda for Library Instruction and Information Literacy,  In addition, the interviewees share insights about their own areas of research. Originally published in 2016, it is updated annually.

Five Things: Learning About… 
This annual publication serves to instruct and educate readers about topics relevant to library instruction, which are either timely or under-discussed. Updated annually. (Previous title: “Five Things to Read About”)

The Research Agenda for Library Instruction and Information Literacy
Outlines important questions for continuing research in the field of library instruction and information literacy. Originally published in 1980 and revised in 2000, 2011, and 2021.

A Selective List of Journals on Teaching & Learning
A list of pedagogical journals from non-library academic fields that focus on instructional strategies within these disciplines. Last updated in 2021.

Past Projects:

Bibliography of Research Methods Texts 
Intended as a resource for librarians engaged in research, this selective bibliography reviewed in-print research methods texts within LIS and the social sciences. Originally compiled in 2006, it was discontinued in spring 2021.

Bibliography of Citations Related to the Research Agenda for Library Instruction and Information Literacy
Created as a supplement to the “Research Agenda for Library Instruction and Information Literacy,” the Bibliography lists publications that advance librarians’ knowledge of issues related to learners, teaching, organizational context, and assessment. Originally compiled in 2003 by committee member Patrick Ragains; last revised in 2010 and discontinued in 2015, to be replaced by Research Agenda Conversations.

Midwinter 2008 Discussion Forum
The committee sponsored the 2008 Instruction Section Discussion Forum “Research Into Action: Leveraging Research Into IL Instruction.” Panelists were Lisa Janicke Hinchliffe, Scott Walter, and Michelle Zafron.

Recommended Reading List

Audio Recording (1:01; 59MB) — Download: download mp3 (Right click and Save Link As…)

Midwinter 2005 Discussion Forum
The committee co-sponsored the 2005 ALA Midwinter Discussion Forum entitled “Agents of Change: How Instruction Librarians Can Use the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) to Promote Information Literacy on Campus.” Guest speakers Thomas G. Kirk, Jr., Amy E. Mark, and Polly D. Boruff-Jones.