Mature librarians and the university faculty: Factors contributing to librarians' acceptance as colleagues

Abstract

In an exploratory study, eighteen mature librarians who are considered colleagues of teaching faculty were interviewed to understand actual instances of acceptance within an institution. Participants demonstrated that performing the role of librarian and exploiting campus governance activities contributed significantly to collegial acceptance and were used to advantage more often than a common interest in research. The most important factor, however, was self-confidence as a librarian. Models and mentors reportedly helped subjects learn to be colleagues with other faculty; library school often did not.