About
I led a project to develop a toolkit that would:
- address the problem of ‘whiteness’ in the library workplace
- bring to the light the biases and barriers libraries have towards Indigenous, Black, and People of Colour (IBPOC)
- empower library organizations with practical actions they can take to better their recruitment practices, and to build up and support a diverse workforce
- push for and advance transformative change in equity, diversity, and inclusion in the library and information sector
This project was sponsored by the BC Library’s Association (BCLA).
Process
Information Gathering
Framed the research study with goals and research questions paired with the project’s objectives.
High Level (Broad) Goals
- To learn what stakeholders or organizations need
- To learn what IBPOC candidates need from organizations
- To gather strategies to try, have been tried or implemented
Research Objectives + Questions
- Identify and examine systemic barriers to creating and supporting a racially diverse and inclusive workforce.
- What are the barriers for racialized candidates and workers in getting hired or promoted?
- What are the barriers for racialized workers when they’re in the workforce?
- What are the barriers or problems that workers face in their work?
- What are the issues that workers face in the work environment?
- When do racialized workers feel included? When do they not?
- What does inclusive look like? Feel like?
- Provide a roadmap and strategies for how to recruit new employees in libraries with proven case studies and illustrations on more equitable hiring practices.
- What EDI strategies have you used?
- What was its purpose: i.e., Bias, Skill Gap
- What was the result: successes + fails
- What stage did the strategy target: Posting / Screening / Interviewing / Selecting
- What steps, tips, additional work is necessary…
- What EDI strategies have you used?
- Create a foundation for supporting IBPOC candidates interested in pursuing work in libraries.
- What resources exist?
- What actionable steps are available?
Methods
Used survey and interviews to gather information and find answers to our research questions.
Collected 72 survey responses from and interviewed 18 IBPOC candidates who have been through the hiring process in libraries and offered their personal experiences and insights.
Collected 60 survey responses from and interviewed 4 library leaders and supervisors who have been responsible for hiring and taken part in the recruitment process.
Data Analysis & Findings
In order to synthesize data and draw insights, I used sentiment analysis, word (frequency) counts, and analyzed quantitative data from scale questions. I investigated potential patterns and connections between experiences and library types. Interview data was collected to expand on survey findings and dig deeper. The personal one-on-one conversations from the interviews resulted in the powerful stories you see in the toolkit.
Content Development & Feedback
Translated research findings into key messages or topics. Brainstormed ways to structure the toolkit by visually testing various ways to map and represent content.
Consulted with and incorporated feedback from colleagues and experts at multiple stages including: developing project plan, survey design, devising interview questions, multiple rounds of draft review, and final version review.
Information Design
- Used Figma and Pages to create a simple, clear, and easy to read document.
- Utilized lists, bullet points, and coloured headings to chunk text and help users scan.
- Use of accordions, anchor links, styled quote blocks, and page structuring to facilitate easy navigation and readability in web document version.
- Styled quotes to provide emphasis and draw readers’ attention.
Outcome
Completed the Toolkit document on time as mapped in the project plan. The toolkit was launched by BCLA in February 2023. Viewable online and as a downloaded PDF.
The project will be presented to library and information professionals at the BC Library Conference in April 2023.
