Dear School Librarians,

We are conducting a research study entitled "The Relationship between School Librarian Dispositions toward Cultural Diversity and Perceived Ability to Provide Culturally Responsive Instruction." The purpose of our study is to help LIS programs and professional organizations such as AASL better prepare and support school librarians in the area of culturally responsive instruction. Participation in the study is voluntary.

For the first time in U.S. history, ethnic and racial minorities are projected to make up the majority of students attending American public schools in the 2014-2015 school year. These demographic changes have implications for school librarians, especially since the achievement gaps between youth of color and white students are large and in some places continue to grow. Additionally, with more English Language Learners and students who come from low-income families living in their communities, schools will be challenged as never before to meet the needs of America's youth.

To participate in the study you will complete an electronic survey that is linked to this email. Completing the survey connotes your consent to be a participant in this study. The survey consists of a series of closed ended questions. Demographic data will also be collected to describe the respondents to this study. Completion of the survey should take approximately 15 minutes. You are free to answer or not answer any particular question and have no obligation to complete answering the questions once you begin.

Your participation is confidential. You will not be asked for any identifying information in the survey questions. All data obtained in this study will be reported as group data. No individual can be or will be identified. The only persons who will have access to the data are us, as the Principal Investigators. There are neither anticipated risks should you participate, nor anticipated personal benefits from being involved in the study. However, there will be educational or professional benefit from this study. The information obtained will be communicated through publication in the literature and presentations at professional meetings. There is no cost to you for your participation.

If you are interested in being entered into a drawing for one of ten $20 Amazon gift cards, please include your email address at the conclusion of the survey. We will not share your email address or use your email for any reason other than to notify you if you are selected to receive a gift card. Your e-mail address will not be kept or stored with any survey information.

All research on human volunteers is reviewed by a committee that works to protect your rights and welfare. If you have questions or concerns about your rights as a research subject you may contact, anonymously if you wish, the Institutional Review Board at 919-966-3113 or by email to IRB_subjects@unc.edu.

Thank you for considering participation in this study. If you would like to participate in the study, please follow the link to the survey. If the link does not work, please copy the URL into your browser.

https://unc.az1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_3mcYjGWXyyY2qXz

Sincerely,

Sandra Hughes-Hassell
Professor
School of Information & Library Science
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC 27599
smhughes@email.unc.edu

Julie Stivers
Master's Student
School of Information & Library Science
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC 27599
stivers@live.unc.edu

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