Practicing librarians explore theories and methods of critical pedagogy in library instruction, drawing inspiration from thinkers including Paolo Freire, Henry Giroux, and Deborah Britzman. The contributors take the perspective that literacy, especially information literacy, is not a neutral skill, but a culturally situated phenomenon embedded within specific social, political, and economic systems. Section I offers a conceptual toolkit, with material on information literacy, social power, library instruction, and the development of critical consciousness. Section II explores classroom issues. In Section III, on teaching in context, chapters address critical pedagogy and information literacy in different settings, from community colleges to virtual worlds. Chapters on unconventional texts look at sources such as Wikipedia and comics as media in library instruction. A final section examines institutional power and critical pedagogy in the corporate university. The book includes a complete index of cited authors. It will be of interest to librarians who teach, library instruction program coordinators, and librarians interested in developing anti-oppressive professional practices. Accardi is assistant librarian and coordinator of instruction at Indiana University Southeast. Annotation 2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
