Local 1482 Vice President for Librarians Rakisha Kearns-White is on the advisory team for a research project being conducted by the University of South Carolina’s School of Information and Communications. The Public Library Routines Project (PLRP), aims to uncover problematic routines in public libraries and learn how they impact staff; find out how staff cope with these routines; and discover successful workarounds that would become the basis of professional development workshops for public library administrations.
Members of the PLRP advisory team are inviting public library staff from across the country to participate in our research of routine work. If you work in a public library in any capacity (librarians, custodians, clerical, safety officers, maintainers, TRS, IT, etc.) and you are from a group that is underrepresented in the profession (e.g., staff of color, LGBTQIA+ staff, staff with disabilities, staff with chronic conditions, and staff with mental health challenges), we especially want to hear from you. READ MORE
Here's the 411:
What’s a Routine? Routine work is. . . well . . . routine! These are the things you do regularly, and you do it mostly the same way each time. This might include shelving, processing holds, programming, working the reference desk, assisting patrons with technology or HR paperwork.
What’s wrong with Routines? While there is nothing inherently wrong with routines, this work might introduce barriers that are particularly problematic for staff with certain identities, e.g., staff of color, LGBTQIA+ staff, staff with disabilities or chronic conditions, staff with mental health challenges. As the routine is repeated and becomes more familiar, it can easily hide and “normalize” these barriers.
What is PLRP? PLRP is a 3-year IMLS-funded research project that looks at these problematic routines, what library staff do to work around them, and what libraries can do to better support staff efforts.
What will you do? You will be asked to keep an audio diary of your experiences in routine work and sit for a 45-minute interview. Everything will be done virtually.
Will anyone know that I participated? Your participation in this research study is entirely confidential. This means that no one outside of the project team will know that you participated. In published project documents, we will remove your name and any information that could potentially link you to your participation in the study.
What do I get out of it? There are no direct benefits to you, but you will receive a $30 gift card at the conclusion of the study.
What if I change my mind? You are free to leave the study at any point and receive a prorated gift card.
I’m interested. What now? Complete THIS FORM to indicate your interest in participating in the study and complete a brief demographics survey. This survey will be used to screen participants and ensure a diverse sample. If you are selected to participate, the next step is a 25-minute virtual meeting with the project team that will further explain your involvement and answer any questions you may have. A project team member will contact you if you are selected to participate. Check out the project WEBSITE HERE. For questions, contact the PI, Darin Freeburg ([email protected]).
Members of the PLRP advisory team are inviting public library staff from across the country to participate in our research of routine work. If you work in a public library in any capacity (librarians, custodians, clerical, safety officers, maintainers, TRS, IT, etc.) and you are from a group that is underrepresented in the profession (e.g., staff of color, LGBTQIA+ staff, staff with disabilities, staff with chronic conditions, and staff with mental health challenges), we especially want to hear from you. READ MORE
Here's the 411:
What’s a Routine? Routine work is. . . well . . . routine! These are the things you do regularly, and you do it mostly the same way each time. This might include shelving, processing holds, programming, working the reference desk, assisting patrons with technology or HR paperwork.
What’s wrong with Routines? While there is nothing inherently wrong with routines, this work might introduce barriers that are particularly problematic for staff with certain identities, e.g., staff of color, LGBTQIA+ staff, staff with disabilities or chronic conditions, staff with mental health challenges. As the routine is repeated and becomes more familiar, it can easily hide and “normalize” these barriers.
What is PLRP? PLRP is a 3-year IMLS-funded research project that looks at these problematic routines, what library staff do to work around them, and what libraries can do to better support staff efforts.
What will you do? You will be asked to keep an audio diary of your experiences in routine work and sit for a 45-minute interview. Everything will be done virtually.
Will anyone know that I participated? Your participation in this research study is entirely confidential. This means that no one outside of the project team will know that you participated. In published project documents, we will remove your name and any information that could potentially link you to your participation in the study.
What do I get out of it? There are no direct benefits to you, but you will receive a $30 gift card at the conclusion of the study.
What if I change my mind? You are free to leave the study at any point and receive a prorated gift card.
I’m interested. What now? Complete THIS FORM to indicate your interest in participating in the study and complete a brief demographics survey. This survey will be used to screen participants and ensure a diverse sample. If you are selected to participate, the next step is a 25-minute virtual meeting with the project team that will further explain your involvement and answer any questions you may have. A project team member will contact you if you are selected to participate. Check out the project WEBSITE HERE. For questions, contact the PI, Darin Freeburg ([email protected]).
