Bolts from the Blue: Surprise Findings in School Librarians' Evidence Gathering

Abstract

This study explores secondary school librarians' current engagement with and challenges experienced when implementing evidence-based practice. Data were collected from focus group interview discussions with 25 middle and high school librarians from 19 states. One preliminary finding revealed that participants tended to focus on evidence as either qualitative or quantitative, but not holistically. Another surprise finding was student involvement in parts of or the entire evidence-based practice process. Participants also shared that they used evidence to celebrate "wins" or successes in their libraries. A fourth unexpected finding was that many participants chose to participate in focus group interviews to learn from other school library participants.