Page 46 - Volume_14

Jurnal PPM: Journal of Malaysian Librarians
Vol. 14, 2020

from 10,208 (Ministry of Education, 2019) public schools, MRSM boarding schools,
private and international schools and other educational institutions. Therefore, the
finding brings to light that there is a gap, a completely new and vast market to tap as
there may not be any local library schools at local higher education institutions that offer
this programme. The gap suggests a number of in-depth research areas and research
questions for future study. Therefore, this is a proposal for any local library school to
tap this market.

FUTURE RESEARCH
The need of train and qualified TL.
This programme is unique as most of the library schools at higher educational
institutions such as University of Malaya, International Islamic University of Malaysia,
University Technology Mara and University of Selangor offer Library and Information
Science but not Teacher Librarianship programmes. This programme may suit open and
distance learning institutions as it offers a master’s degree in education. It may also be
ideal to incorporate educational subjects into any current LIS programmes to form
teacher librarianship programme. The programme may combine the pedagogical,
technological and librarianship subjects and competencies to train teacher librarians
appropriate to 21 century teaching and learning.
st

CONCLUSION
It will be more encouraging, meaningful and significant if local library schools in
Malaysia are supportive and wiling to be pioneers to collaborate with the Ministry of
Education to design, introduce and establish a basic degree or master’s degree in
Teacher Librarianship.

It is important for any open and distance learning institutions to invest in this
programme. This programme will provide opportunities for teachers to become
professionally trained, qualified and credentialed teacher librarians. Open and distance
learning institutions may provide these golden opportunities as professional
development, continuing lifelong learning as well as opportunities for career
advancements. This will provide fundamental Teacher Librarianship training for these
teachers. It is appropriate and time that the Ministry of Education implement a basic
degree or master’s degree in Teacher Librarianship as a required qualification for school
librarians in schools to enable them to uphold their roles and functions accordingly
towards enhancing a 21st teaching and learning environment in schools.

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