Education

B.A., English Literature and Viola Performance, University of Iowa
M.A., Library and Information Science, University of Iowa
Ph.D., Language, Literacy and Culture, University of Iowa

Research

Jenna Spiering’s research interests lie at the intersection of school libraries, critical youth studies, and children’s/young adult materials. Specifically, Spiering’s work emphasizes the school librarian’s role in selecting, promoting, and curating materials for students in k-12 settings. Some of her recent work has explored representations of gender and sexuality in young adult literature, and considers how the presence of these topics affects selection practices in school libraries and the inclusion of materials in classrooms.

Funded Research

Spiering, Jenna (Principal Investigator) “Extending School Library Preparation Through Transitional Mentorship with Early Career School Librarians,” IMLS Laura Bush 21^st Century Librarian Program, Early Career Development Grant. Funded for $374,194 (2024-2027). Sponsored by the Institute for Museum and Library Service (IMLS).  

Spiering, Jenna (Principal Investigator) “Full STEAM (and Social Studies) Ahead with TPS Grant Training in South Carolina,” Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources Program (TPS) Grant. Funded for $249,675.28 (2021-2024) Sponsored by the Library of Congress (Co-PIs, Dr. Liz Hartnett and Valerie Byrd-Fort)  

Teaching

Spiering believes that teaching and learning are social and multidirectional. She sees her role in the classroom as a facilitator of critical thinking and is constantly learning alongside and from her students. Therefore, discussion and civil discourse are key components of any course she teaches. She strives to highlight diverse voices and perspectives in the texts and materials assigned in her courses — often challenging the canon of traditionally taught texts both in schools and in academic settings. She teaches courses in children’s and young adult materials, and supervises the internship experience for future school librarians.

Recent Publications

Spiering, J. & Kedley, K. (Forthcoming, 2024) From book rating to book bans: A Critical Content Analysis of BookLooks.org’s report cards on LGBTQIA+ titles. The Journal of Intellectual Freedom and Privacy.

Spiering, J. & Cook, D.A. (2024) Sustained Inquiry into the Civil Rights Movement: Creating Space, Time, and Community in Educator Professional Development. Teaching with Primary Sources Consortium Journal.

Spiering, J., Green, L. & Dreeszen Bowman, J. (2023) “LGBTQIA+ Inclusive School Library Research: A Systematic Literature Review.” School Library Research.

Santos Green, L., Spiering, J., Kitzie, V., & Erlanger, J. (2022). LGBTQIA+ inclusive children’s librarianship: Queer-positive policies, programs, and practices. Santa Barbara: Libraries Unlimited. 

Spiering, J. & Amato, N. A. (2022) “Nothing to do but be borne and steered”: Unpacking Feminist Scripts in Elana Arnold’s Damsel. International Journal of Young Adult Literature.

Spiering, J. & Lechtenberg, K. (2020) Rethinking curation in school libraries and school library education: Critical, conceptual, collaborative. School Libraries Worldwide.

Service

Spiering serves as the chair of the iSchool’s School Library and Literacy Committee and a faculty senator for the CIC. She is active in national organizations like the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) and the American Educational Research Association (AERA) as well as international organizations like the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions. Spiering serves on the editorial board of School Libraries Worldwide and School Library Research. Locally, she is USC’s liaison on the board of the South Carolina Association of School Librarians (SCASL).