The School Library as a Sexual Health Learning Environment

Abstract

In Northern Europe and the United States, approximately half of adolescents have engaged in sexual activity by the age of 18 years, but attitudes, behaviors, and outcomes among adolescents in the two geographic areas differ greatly. Although multiple factors contribute to decision-making and although adolescents receive sexual health information through myriad information channels, one commonality exists between the two geographic areas: the school library. This paper presents the findings of two studies exploring the role of high school librarians in Texas as sexual health information providers and motivators and barriers to information provision, as perceived by district-level library coordinators, high school principals, and high school librarians. Results suggest the librarian potentially plays this role, and more motivators for information provision exist than do barriers; as such, the school library potentially serves as a sexual health learning environment.