Distributed Leadership Theory for Investigating Teacher Librarian Leadership

Abstract

The ever-evolving and complex technological environment of 21st century schools and the new leadership capacities that accompany it have signified a paradigm shift in leadership. Distributed leadership has emerged as a possible method for dealing with the increased responsibilities and pressures placed upon school principals. Distributed leadership theory is proposed as a means of in-depth analysis of the practice of school leaders in order to understand the dynamics of leadership practice and proposes that leadership function is stretched over the work of a number of individuals (Spillane, 2006). This theory, the concepts, propositions it contains, and the research evolving from it present a means for exploring and analyzing the leadership activities, actions, and roles of teacher librarians. The applicability of distributed leadership to teacher librarian leadership will be demonstrated through this report of research that applied distributed leadership theory to investigate the enablers and barriers to teacher librarian technology integration leadership.