Date of Award
Fall 12-16-2021
Document Type
Project (696 or 796 registration)
Degree Name
Master of Science in Curriculum & Instruction
Department
Graduate Studies
Committee Chair
Ximena Suarez-Sousa
Keywords
Native American, Picture Books, Cultural Authenticity, Diversity, Children's Literature
Abstract
This study aimed to explore the confidence and ability of library staff to select and identify culturally authentic Native American picture books. The researcher, a self-identified Native American, developed a tool designed to assist in library staff in identifying key elements of a picture book that lend themselves to a work being culturally authentic. Assisting patrons in selecting materials is a key element in the library profession. The setting of this research is a university with a large Professional Education Program as well as a documented dedication to serving Native students and surrounding tribal communities and the participants of the study were library staff. This puts the library staff in a unique position of often assisting students and community members in finding culturally authentic picture books depicting Native Americans. The study was done with an online survey consisting of both qualitative and quantitative questions and required the participants to each read and evaluate two picture books. It was determined that the tool was successful in increasing the confidence of all participants and all participants are very likely to utilize the tool again in their professional practice.
Recommended Citation
Leeport, Cassondra, "Building Confidence of Academic Library Staff in the Selection of Culturally Authentic Native American Picture Books" (2021). Dissertations, Theses, and Projects. 573.
https://red.mnstate.edu/thesis/573
Included in
Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education Commons, Early Childhood Education Commons, Higher Education and Teaching Commons, Indigenous Studies Commons, Reading and Language Commons