Barbara Stripling
Professor of Practice
bstripli@syr.edu
229 Hinds Hall
(315) 443-1069
http://www.barbarastripling.org/
Barbara Stripling - Curriculum Vitae
Overview
Throughout my library career, I have looked into the faces of young people and been nourished by their sense of wonder and enthusiasm for learning. As a librarian, I have served these young people by providing library programs and services that are their right: an environment conducive to learning; equitable access to resources that reflect their diverse needs and interests; effective instruction that builds independent learning skills; and opportunities for sharing with others.
As director of school library programs in New York City, with 1.1 million students and 1700 schools, I used my leadership and mentoring skills to focus on building a nurturing and supportive community and strong guidance for all the school librarians. Together, we established effective school library programs and prepare our students to be successful in school and beyond.
In January, I became an Assistant Professor of Practice at Syracuse University. In this position, I have the opportunity to impact the profession of librarianship through my teaching, research, and writing.
Libraries are on the cusp of greatness. We must seize the moment by re-defining ourselves and capturing the exciting possibilities offered by technology and social media; the explosion of information; and the challenges of maintaining a strong democracy while nourishing the expression of diverse viewpoints. Librarians must be instrumental in leading the transformation of libraries, and in that process, we will transform our communities.
I am a candidate for the presidency of the American Library Association. As ALA President, I will serve ALA members in all types of libraries by championing intellectual freedom, the right to privacy, advocacy for all types of libraries, public funding for libraries and library salaries, legislative action, equitable access to information, and community-building and civic engagement through libraries.
Interests
Research Interests
Teaching the voices of history through primary sources and historical fiction: A case study of teacher and librarian roles
Stripling, Barbara Kay
Syracuse University, 2011. 2011. 3454424.
Abstract (summary)
The ability to analyze alternative points of view and to empathize (understand the beliefs, attitudes and actions of another from the other's perspective rather than from one's own) are essential building blocks for learning in the 21st century. Empathy for the human participants of historical times has been deemed by a number of educators as important for the development of historical understanding. The classroom teacher and the school librarian both have a prominent stake in creating educational experiences that foster the development of perspective, empathy, and understanding.
This case study was designed to investigate the idea that teaching with primary sources and historical novels during historical inquiry enhances students' development of cognitive and emotive empathy. The study was framed around two research questions: How do classroom teachers and school librarians design and teach historical inquiry using historical novels and primary sources? What is the impact of teaching with historical novels and primary sources on the development of historical empathy?
The case study was conducted in an English/history humanities block and the school library in a New York City secondary school. Data were collected through classroom observations, interviews with the classroom teachers and librarian, and samples of student work. On the use of primary sources and historical novels, the study found that primary sources must be surrounded by context to be useful to students in their learning, that secondary sources were necessary for providing that context, and that historical fiction provides social context, but its use must be scaffolded to help students distinguish fiction from fact. In addition, the study found that unless library linkages to primary sources are embedded in classroom instruction, they are not used by students or teachers. In answer to the second research question, the study found that primary sources have a strong impact on the development of historical empathy if their use is mediated by a teacher or librarian and that cognitive empathy must be developed before emotive empathy. Finally, this case study showed that a school librarian's effectiveness is diminished by fulfilling a resource-provider role with no integration into classroom instruction.
Teaching Interests
Professional Interests
Personal Interests
Teaching History
