“…And Well-Being for All”

Abstract

Library and Information Science (LIS) programs in the U.S. are continuously assessing the educational needs of their students against the daily realities of library practice. This process is reflected in the American Library Association Core Competences of Librarianship. The constantly evolving nature of this programmatic document testifies to the changing nature of the contexts in which librarians conduct their work. LIS research often reveals gaps between expected professional competencies of librarians and LIS pedagogy and curriculum. This paper focuses on some of these gaps as evidenced by the three co-authors’ ongoing research on Midwestern public libraries. In doing so, the paper contributes to the scholarship on best practices in public librarianship and librarian education. The authors articulate a key implication of their research for the competencies of library professionals in a complex world of environmental, economic, and political challenges. Finally, they describe an assignment sample by means of which LIS students can learn how to address social justice needs in the community; demonstrate how to practice cultural humility when planning for collections, programs, and services; and apply Evidence-Based Practice processes for identifying, assessing, and addressing community needs.