The New Instruction Librarian: A Workbook for Trainers and Learners

Benjes-Small (head of research services, Coll. of William & Mary) and Waltz (associate dean for learning and engagement, Penn State Univ. Libraries) offer an updated edition of their bestselling 2016 handbook for librarians new to library instruction. While the book’s basic premise has not changed, the second edition includes updated literature reviews and a focus on incorporating research and perspectives from a broad range of librarians to better address issues of race, gender, and class within the field. Chapters on hiring and performance evaluation have been exchanged for discussions of critical information literacy and sustainability, burnout, and resiliency in the profession. The authors maintain a generous tone throughout, offering encouragement and practical guidance, including strategies and approaches, learning opportunities, and templates for sample lesson plans, scripts, assignments, and observation forms. Early-career librarians will be reassured by the authors’ discussion of how to become an educator, which makes clear that few librarians feel as prepared as they would like to be. To encourage further study, each chapter concludes with “Exploring the Conversation,” an annotated list of resources to facilitate deeper discussion and research.