Modelling advances in gatekeeping theory for academic libraries

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the appropriateness of gatekeeping theory, particularly its recent elaboration in journalism and communication studies for the investigation of information flows in academic libraries. Design/methodology/approach This paper uses the methods of conceptual analysis and thought experiment. Findings This paper finds that current elaborations of gatekeeping theory are useful for modeling library information flows, particularly identifying and evaluating influences on those flows. It is able to reframe intransigent issues around library neutrality and open access so that more nuanced approaches can be constructed. Originality/value Gatekeeping theory as elaborated by Shoemaker and Vos for journalism and communication studies, while occasionally referenced the library and information science (LIS) literature, has not been previously evaluated as a framework for library information flows. This is the first paper to assess the potential of aspects of the theory such as levels of analysis and multiplicity of channels to reframe issues in LIS.

Manifestations of expert power in gatekeeping: a conceptual study

“…Seen from a broader perspective, however, the situation is better because HIB research offers a rich body of literature which is relevant to the examination of the relationships between information and power. Many of these studies have focused on the issues of cognitive authority (e.g., Wilson, 1983;Rieh, 2002;Hirvonen et al, 2019) and gatekeeping (e.g., Barzailai-Nahon, 2008;Ojennus, 2020). So far, however, the question of how power figures in cognitive authority and gatekeeping has not been addressed in sufficient depth.…”

“…Wilson, 1983;Rieh, 2002;Hirvonen et al, 2019) and gatekeeping (e.g. Barzailai-Nahon, 2008;Ojennus, 2020). So far, however, the question of how power figures in cognitive authority and gatekeeping has not been addressed in sufficient depth.…”

Pre-emptive Censorship of Children’s Literature that is Sexual in Nature by Elementary Librarians in the Middle East. (c2021)

“…In order to delve deeper into this research a closer inspection of the central ideas related to the gatekeeping theory, that was briefly introduced in the introduction, will be presented. This literature review will closely examine the theoretical perspective of gatekeeping theory developed by Kurt Lewin (1947) and later adopted by several researchers for different purposes (Farquhar & Carey, 2019;Nye & Barco, 2012;Ojennus, 2019;Steele, 2018). This examination will then be focused within the context of librarians and their role in pre-emptive censorship.…”

“…Farquhar and Carey (2019) broadly defined the theory as the process of creating and selecting pieces of information that spread to people on a daily basis. Paul Ojennus (2019) was one of many researchers who connected the theory of gatekeeping to the process of book selection at libraries, additionally he and others went further to frame the theory within the context of preemptive censorship at libraries (see, e.g., Steele, 2018;Nye & Barco, 2012). In order to use gatekeeping theory within the lens of the decision-making process that occurs inside elementary libraries in the Middle East, it is crucial to understand the fundamental elements or concepts attached to the theory.…”

“…When relating this part of Lewin's theory to the context of a school library, one can conclude that there are positive and negative forces that affect the decision-making process while attempting to pre-emptively censor (Steele, 2018). Ojennus (2019) highlighted this perspective by relating pre-emptive censorship at school libraries to these forces; moreover, he claimed that literature items are less likely to be selected if they are perceived as controversial or will likely be challenged. He related this issue to "forces at the gate" and claimed that librarians would prefer to avoid challenged books because they may produce a negative force (Ojennus, 2019).…”