Library anxiety : theory, research, and applications

Although the phenomenon of library anxiety and its debilitating effects on library use have been observed for years, it has only recently been studied in a systematic and scientific manner. This is the first in depth look at the origins and subsequent evolution of this fascinating field of study. Beginning with a discussion of the Library Anxiety Scale, the most widely used measure of library anxiety among college and university students, it investigates a number of theoretical models, provides an extensive framework for conducting research at the institutional level, and offers both research-based and proposed strategies for prevention and intervention.

Author Notes

Sharon L. Bostick is president of the library consulting firm S. L. Bostick and Associate and former director of libraries at the University of Massachusetts, Boston.

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In lay terms, library anxiety is a psychological/physiological disorder associated with actually entering a library building and having to deal with or understand library terminology, e.g., Dewey Decimal system, LC, call numbers, Boolean searching, etc. Although long observed, this phenomenon has only been recently scientifically studied. Authors Onwuegbuzie, Qun G. Jio, and Sharon Bostick are well known for their research and writings in the area; Bostick's 1992 Library Anxiety Scale (LAS) is still used with college students and appears in Appendix A. Designed as a textbook for LIS students, this overview is divided into four parts Background, Theory, Research, and Application. Unfortunately, what could have been a fascinating study reads like a very dry research paper, with its emphasis still in a college or university setting. While this research could be adopted to a school or public library, the presentation here is designed more for a researcher or someone willing to wade through a pedantic rendition. For LIS and academic collections. B. Susan Brown, Pamunkey Regional Lib., VA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Foreword	p. ix
Preface	p. xi
Part 1 Background
1 Development and Validation of the Library Anxiety Scale	p. 1
Overview	p. 1
The Development of the Library Anxiety Scale	p. 1
Stages of the Library Anxiety Scale Development Process	p. 4
Subsequent Validation Studies on the Library Anxiety Scale	p. 18
Summary and Conclusions	p. 23
Part 2 Theory
2 Nature and Etiology of Library Anxiety	p. 25
Overview	p. 25
The Construct of General Anxiety	p. 25
The Construct of Library Anxiety	p. 30
Summary and Conclusions	p. 54
3 Conceptual and Research-Based Models of Library Anxiety	p. 57
Overview	p. 57
Kulhthau's Model of the Information Search Process	p. 58
Cognitive-Affective Stage Model of Library Anxiety	p. 61
Information Literacy Process Model of Library Anxiety	p. 70
Dispositional-Situational-Environmental Model of Library Anxiety	p. 73
Anxiety-Expectation Mediation Model of Library Anxiety	p. 76
Summary and Conclusions	p. 79
Part 3 Research
4 Framework for Conducting Multimethod Research: Research Design/Data Collection Stage	p. 81
Overview	p. 81
Quantitative Research Paradigm	p. 85
Qualitative Research Paradigm	p. 118
Mixed-Methodological Research Paradigm	p. 131
Summary and Conclusions	p. 150
5 Framework for Conducting Multimethod Research: Data Analysis Stage	p. 153
Overview	p. 153
Quantitative Research Paradigm	p. 154
Qualitative Research Paradigm	p. 183
Mixed-Methodological Research Paradigm	p. 189
Summary and Conclusions	p. 191
6 Framework for Conducting Multimethod Research: Data Interpretation Stage	p. 193
Overview	p. 193
Quantitative Research Paradigm	p. 193
Qualitative Research Paradigm	p. 206
Mixed-Methodological Research Paradigm	p. 231
Summary and Conclusions	p. 232
Part 4 Applications
7 Prevention, Reduction, and Intervention of Library Anxiety	p. 235
Overview	p. 235
Library Anxiety Prevention and Reduction in the Physical Environment	p. 238
Library Anxiety Prevention through Instruction	p. 251
Library Anxiety Intervention through Mediated Information Services	p. 268
Summary and Conclusions	p. 273
8 Future Research, Issues, and Challenges	p. 275
Overview	p. 275
Potential Areas for Future Research	p. 276
Issues and Challenges of Library Anxiety Research	p. 292
Summary and Conclusions	p. 309
Appendix A Library Anxiety Scale	p. 311
Appendix B Scoring Protocols for the Library Anxiety Scale	p. 313
References	p. 317
Subject Index	p. 357
Author Index	p. 367
About the Authors	p. 377

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