A Phenomenological Study of Conservative Academic Librarians |
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| Authors: | Kaetrena Davis Kendrick Ione T Damasco |
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| Institution: | 1. University of South Carolina Lancaster, Lancaster, South Carolinakaetrena@mailbox.sc.edu;3. University of Dayton, Dayton, Ohio |
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| Abstract: | Librarianship posits itself as a profession that strives for neutrality, particularly within customer service and information provision; however, factors such as political activity, conference programming, and disproportionate representations of specific viewpoints in the literature indicate that neutrality may be compromised. These factors may alienate librarians who do not subscribe to majority political opinions within librarianship. A phenomenological study was conducted to understand the career experiences of academic librarians who identify as socially or politically conservative. Themes linking service provision, ethics, workplace relationships, and professional engagement emerged that demonstrate the professional impact politicized activity has on practicing librarians in all specialties. |
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| Keywords: | academic librarianship conservative ethics phenomenology politics professionalism |
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