(via Laureen Cantwell, PhD student at University of Buffalo)
Dear academic reference and instruction librarians,
My name is Laureen Cantwell-Jurkovic, and I am a PhD student in the Information Science program, within the Graduate School of Education, at the University at Buffalo. I am conducting a mixed methods study focused on understanding whether and by what parameters academic reference and instruction librarians consider their work with student-patrons “caring labor”.
You are invited to participate in this survey, pending your meeting its inclusion criteria. Inclusion criteria for this study are that you:
- are age 18 or older;
- hold at least a Masters in Library Science (or the equivalent*);
- are an academic librarian currently working within an academic library setting;
- spend at least 25% of my time doing instruction, reference/research assistance, and/or research consultation work with student-patrons; and
- have at least 10 years in the field as an academic librarian.
The survey is anticipated to take no more than 10-20 minutes of your time and is designed to aid me in understanding whether and by what parameters you consider your work with student-patrons as an academic reference and instruction librarian to be caring labor. At the end of the survey, you’ll be asked whether you are interested in participating in future, related research. This is the only time you’ll be asked to provide your name and contact information, and you’ll only be asked to do so if you indicate you do want to participate in future, related research.
Participation in this study is voluntary. Your identity as a participant will remain confidential during and after the study. A unique ID will automatically be assigned to your survey submission via the survey tool, and your information will be anonymized in any research products using data from this study.
If you have questions, please contact me at laureenc@buffalo.edu.
To participate, use this link. Please note that clicking the link to the survey indicates your consent to participate.
Thank you for your consideration,
Laureen P. Cantwell, MSLIS
PhD Student, University at Buffalo
Graduate School of Education, Information Science Program
*For the purposes of this study, “equivalent” degrees will be defined by the American Library Association: ALA-accredited degrees have various names such as Master of Information Studies, Master of Information, Master of Arts, Master of Librarianship, Master of Library and Information Studies, or Master of Science (view source here).