The pedagogical and didactic training of librarians

Abstract

The educational function of libraries is well known. The search for truth and meaning of all things conducted in libraries has its roots in the ancient world. Thus, the library also develops into an educational agency: it teaches the meaning of research. Its educational function is expressed as education in the library, through the promotion of educational paths, didactic activities and reflections on topics not always related to the library; but it is also expressed as education to the library itself, understood as an ensemble of educational instances, aimed at the familiarisation with the library, the search for information and its correct use, but also more simply as a set of gestures inherent in library life, such as note-taking and reading, which are intrinsically educational phenomena. To do this, librarians cannot improvise, because while it is true that education is a natural fact, its transmission can be improved and calibrated to the characteristics of the individual subjects. The librarians who wish to organise educational events will need to implement different strategies from health professionals or teachers. Yet, to implement those strategies, librarians will need to know them first. This presupposes that their training is appropriate and that their course of study comprises educational and didactic principles and methods.