Understanding How Students Develop is a one-stop source of practical advice for both librarians who are just beginning to work with students from elementary school through college, as well as helpful tips for seasoned library user services professionals, including school, reference, instruction, and outreach librarians.
The book supplies a detailed roadmap for applying key development theories to daily interactions with students.
Subjects covered include:
Integrating development theories into practiceIntellectual development theoriesIdentity development theoryInvolvement theoryAssessing the impact of using development theoriesThroughout the book sidebars highlight practical applications, important quotations from key texts, and case studies for consideration. After reading this book, librarians who work with a wide range of users will have a practical approach for incorporating development theories into their daily practice, making them more responsive to the varying needs of their users, and more understanding of what elements of their user services programs can be better tailored to meet students at a range of developmental stages.
Industry Reviews
Most librarians are not exposed to learning and development theory in school, and yet these theories are an important foundation to practice, especially in user services. This book provides readers with an overview of some of the most relevant theories, presented in accessible language and with solid examples, and scenarios that demonstrate how to translate the theory into practice. This would be a handy book for reference and instruction professionals, as well as LIS students interested in user services. -- Laura Saunders, associate professor, Simmons College
This work is valuable to any librarian who desires to move beyond observation and intuition to enhance reference, instruction, and outreach programs. It brings together student development theory, established and enriched since the 1950s, with the practical needs of librarians as they interact daily with students. The authors predicate their work on the similarities between Student Affairs and Libraries. Chapters sequentially introduce a specific student development theory then provide real-life examples of how that theory relates to library practice. Quoted scenarios from practicing librarians are particularly useful in moving from the theoretical to the practical. -- John Pollitz, dean of library affairs, Morris Library, Southern Illinois University
Understanding How Students Develop: A Practical Guide for Librarians is an excellent addition to our professional literature. Each chapter provides key points summarizing the theory covered, and those who are interested in reading more can follow the extensive references. Librarians will appreciate the clear, concrete examples of how student development theories connect to our work with instances from librarians at a range of institutions. -- Jennifer Nutefall, university librarian, Santa Clara University
