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College of Information and Communications

Participate in the Research

The success of the Public Library Routines Project depends on partnerships with public library staff. There are three main ways you can join us in this research: 

1. Record audio diaries 

We are asking public library staff from across the country to record audio diaries about routine work that makes them feel stuck, frustrated, uncomfortable, annoyed, etc. You will talk about the obstacles you face in routine work and what you do to work around those obstacles. 

Who Can Participate? 
Anyone working in a public library who is part of a group that is underrepresented, marginalized, and/or stigmatized in the profession is invited to participate. This includes staff of color, LGBTQIA+ staff, staff with disabilities, staff with chronic conditions, and staff with mental health challenges.  

What Will I 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 only the project’s PI and RA 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 $35 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 member of the project team will contact you whether or not you are selected to participate. 

If you have any questions, contact the Principal Investigator, Darin Freeburg (darinf@mailbox.sc.edu) 

2. Write Your Story  

We are looking for stories about the experiences of public library staff in routine library work. Stories will potentially be featured on the project website.  

Who Can Participate? 
Anyone working in a public library who is part of a group that is underrepresented, marginalized, and/or stigmatized in the profession is invited to participate. This includes staff of color, LGBTQIA+ staff, staff with disabilities, staff with chronic conditions, and staff with mental health challenges.  

What Should I Write About?

We want to know about the routine work you do that makes you feel stuck, frustrated, uncomfortable, annoyed, etc. Stories will typically be about 300 words and should describe: 

  1. The routine itself, including where, when, why, and how you performed it 
  2. The obstacle you faced, including why you think you—in particular—faced it 
  3. How you responded 
  4. Outcomes, including how it made you feel and how successful you felt your response was 
  5. How the profession can better support your efforts 

The first step is to reach out to Katie Klein (kk22@email.sc.edu) introducing yourself with a short overview of what you would like to write about. 

3. Host a Workshop

We are planning a series of workshops across the country with public library staff and management. At these workshops, we will discuss the study’s findings, dream of an ideal library that overcomes any issues noted in these findings, and make a concrete plan to achieve that dream.   

We are looking for sites willing to host one of these workshops (1 with about 25 staff, 1 with about 10 members of management), and help us make local arrangements and invite participants. We will provide a lunch for participants at each site, as well as all necessary equipment and materials.  

After first reaching out to management — or if you are management — contact Katie Klein (kk22@email.sc.edu) for additional details.  


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