RES 5040: Teacher as Researcher (spring 09)

"Though the actual numbers of homeless patrons represent a small percentage of the overall patronage, they require a significant portion of the staff’s energy and the library’s resources."--What do you mean? How do they use the library's energy and resources?

You may want to consider inviting someone from the Department of Social Services to your "think tank" meeting. They have a great deal of knowledge of community resources and the homeless population in general that might be important.

What do you mean by this: "Would it benefit the library, for example, to formalize this “social service” aspect of its work into its mission and policies? Would there be funding benefits to this formalization? " I worked in the social work field for 8 years and we were sometimes in over our heads in our own field. I respect the ideals that seem to be driving your study, but you might want to be cautious.

Your study sounds very compassionate. I think you will be able to make a difference in services for the homeless.

Sounds like a great idea idea, Lyme, but i did not see a stated question, though you did have several mentioned in description. Does it relate to this quote: "I am interested in exploring how the library can more effectively serve this portion of its patronage" or this one: "In my action research project, I plan to explore this question of how the library can more effectively serve and interact with the homeless component of its patronage"?. Or are you still refining it? Or am I completely daft, which is often the case:)

I really like that, in addition to the fact that your project focuses on something that promotes community development and change, your study focuses on the staff. I imagine that they (if they feel anything like our store staff at times) feel frustrated by a lack of set guidelines to address the situation, and often feel powerless and that their voices are unheard. Stringer notes the power of inclusion, and I think your interviews with staff will allow some who haven't been too vocal previously to make significant contributions. The patrons too should rise to the occassion, as they, as loyal borrowers, probably feel they ahve soem stake in the well-being of the library.

You mention that your focus will be on the adult side of the library, but what sections will you include? Circulation, reference, administration, or a mixture? Is there one group of staff that is forced to deal with the issue more than others? And, furthering the idea of inclusion, how will you address the homeless perspective? I understand the difficulties of interviewing that demographic and the need for focus, but will you include any views from authorities on the subject (in the area) or perhaps relevant literature?

Good luck, and your project is an excellent one by any criteria that we have studied. I'll be interested to see your solutions, and hope you'll share them with our store. -John Harrington

John,
this is my question. pulled directly from my above text:
I plan to explore this question of how the library can more effectively serve and interact with the homeless component of its patronage.

Lyme,
This is well thought-out. Your research question is broad yet precise. (I think John was thrown a bit because it's not written as an actual question; i.e., How can the library more effectively serve....)

I like that you are being as inclusive as possible, and you'll find that once you begin collecting data, you may wind up focusing a bit more (in terms of participants and even as John mentions, the section(s) of the library). This will be an important study and I am anxious to learn about what you "find."