Librarians as educators: Affective dimensions experienced in teaching

Abstract

The objective of the research is to enhance knowledge regarding librarians’ emotions experienced while teaching, as a component of a librarian as an educator identity. Affective dimensions of teaching were researched in academic libraries of Lithuania and Poland. Data for this study were gathered using Computer-assisted web interviewing (CAWI) technique. Affective dimensions experienced while teaching were explored through the semantic differential technique. The most obvious finding to emerge from this study is that librarians as educators have more positive than negative emotions about their teaching. Librarians feel that their teaching is being consistent and they have a positive attitude toward teaching, but it requires a significant effort. The largest deviation of the results was seen when talking about feelings of tiredness during the teaching process and the difficulty of teaching role. For better insight the analysis was carried out comparing results from Lithuania and Poland as well as linking emotions with job meaningfulness.