Connecting and Reflecting

Abstract

This literature review is intended to examine transformative learning within the context of academic libraries and its applications for librarians. Although the main audience is academic librarians who facilitate student learning, it may also be of interest to other practitioners and researchers who are interested in applying transformative learning across the disciplines. We analyzed relevant works on transformative learning from fields, such as education and library science. This article provides a history and definition of transformative learning and examines parallels between transformative learning and existing library and information research. Potential applications of transformative learning to instruction and reference services are examined. Transformative learning is an important theory in higher education with which librarians should be familiar. The new Association of College and Research Libraries’ Framework for Information Literacy in Higher Education implements several ideas related to transformative learning. The theory may help librarians connect with diverse, adult learners.