Student Perspectives of MSLIS Education in an Aging Society

Fuente: ERIC Institute of Education Sciences
Salvato in:
Dettagli Bibliografici
Autore principale: Joseph Winberry
Natura: Recurso educativo Open Access
Lingua:en
Pubblicazione: 2026
Soggetti:
Accesso online:
Tags: Aggiungi Tag
Nessun Tag, puoi essere il primo ad aggiungerne!!
_version_ 1867181207641391104
author Joseph Winberry
author_facet Joseph Winberry
Joseph Winberry
collection Education Resources Information Center
contents Student Perspectives of MSLIS Education in an Aging Society Joseph Winberry Student Attitudes Graduate Students Masters Programs Information Science Education Aging (Individuals) Library Services Older Adults Gerontology Core Competencies Library Science COVID-19 Pandemics Integrated Curriculum The COVID-19 pandemic re-emphasized social and digital vulnerabilities experienced by some older adults (people 65 years and older). In considering how library and information science (LIS) can best serve older adults, the importance of education and curricula is discussed. Existing literature indicates that (1) older adults are either missing or minimized from post-secondary students' perspectives, (2) when introduced to older adults, post-secondary students often become interested in meeting their needs, and (3) there are numerous strategies that may facilitate this introduction. To better understand these issues in an LIS context, current students or recent graduates of ALA-accredited Master of Library and Information Science programs were asked to participate in a qualitative survey. Sixty-five participants completed a survey which showed that while 96% felt it was important that their programs offer classes on older adults, 86% reported classes on youth but not older adults. Additionally, 80% felt that they could become more interested in the needs of older adults if their programs introduced them. Participants also shared how they and LIS more broadly could serve older adults through the lens of the ALA core competencies. The results were aligned with studies from other fields that indicate a lack of engagement with older adults and gerontology career paths. A framework is presented which LIS professors and administrators can use to increase the presence of older adults or other underrepresented populations in their curricula and programs. Future research is needed to provide more tools for preparing students for work in an aging society.
format Recurso educativo Open Access
id eric_EJ1501881
institution ERIC Institute of Education Sciences
language en
publishDate 2026
record_format eric
spellingShingle Student Perspectives of MSLIS Education in an Aging Society
Joseph Winberry
Student Attitudes
Graduate Students
Masters Programs
Information Science Education
Aging (Individuals)
Library Services
Older Adults
Gerontology
Core Competencies
Library Science
COVID-19
Pandemics
Integrated Curriculum
Student Perspectives of MSLIS Education in an Aging Society Joseph Winberry Student Attitudes Graduate Students Masters Programs Information Science Education Aging (Individuals) Library Services Older Adults Gerontology Core Competencies Library Science COVID-19 Pandemics Integrated Curriculum The COVID-19 pandemic re-emphasized social and digital vulnerabilities experienced by some older adults (people 65 years and older). In considering how library and information science (LIS) can best serve older adults, the importance of education and curricula is discussed. Existing literature indicates that (1) older adults are either missing or minimized from post-secondary students' perspectives, (2) when introduced to older adults, post-secondary students often become interested in meeting their needs, and (3) there are numerous strategies that may facilitate this introduction. To better understand these issues in an LIS context, current students or recent graduates of ALA-accredited Master of Library and Information Science programs were asked to participate in a qualitative survey. Sixty-five participants completed a survey which showed that while 96% felt it was important that their programs offer classes on older adults, 86% reported classes on youth but not older adults. Additionally, 80% felt that they could become more interested in the needs of older adults if their programs introduced them. Participants also shared how they and LIS more broadly could serve older adults through the lens of the ALA core competencies. The results were aligned with studies from other fields that indicate a lack of engagement with older adults and gerontology career paths. A framework is presented which LIS professors and administrators can use to increase the presence of older adults or other underrepresented populations in their curricula and programs. Future research is needed to provide more tools for preparing students for work in an aging society.
title Student Perspectives of MSLIS Education in an Aging Society
topic Student Attitudes
Graduate Students
Masters Programs
Information Science Education
Aging (Individuals)
Library Services
Older Adults
Gerontology
Core Competencies
Library Science
COVID-19
Pandemics
Integrated Curriculum
url https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1501881