Wilson Mericle
Research- The student identifies, evaluates, conducts, and applies current research and thought in library and information studies and in other fields.
Librarians not only help patrons perform research, but are often researchers themselves. Before entering UNCG’s MLIS program, I was well versed in performing student research. I began building on these skills in my first course, LIS 600: Foundations of Library and Information Studies.
Before beginning work on an Action Research Project, we first had to complete our Internal Review Board (IRB) Certification. The purpose of this assignment was to teach us ethical research practices and why they are important. From my undergraduate studies, I already knew a great deal of the material taught in the certification modules; however, as I progressed, I found that because I had not moved into upper-level research involving human subjects, I only knew 50% of the material. The overall process was fruitful as it not only gave me a solid base for my action research project, but also informed my work on other assignments such as the ethics and advocacy project and LSTA technology grant mentioned in the previous SLO.
My action research project for LIS 600 was to evaluate the digitization processes, discoverability, and accessibility of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro’s unique violoncello collection. I worked closely with Stacey Krim, Special Collections Technician, and David Gwynn, Digital Projects Coordinator, as well as consulted with William “Mac” Nelson, Cello Music Cataloger, to complete my research. After viewing the collection in the University Archives and learning about the cataloging and metadata processes, David Gwynn taught me how to digitize items from the collection. The process is streamlined; the librarians are masters at processing, promoting, and disseminating the material; and the digital collection is aesthetically pleasing and easily discoverable. I was unable to provide any recommendations for improving the project, but my research was able to provide the staff with a first step to performing a needs assessment on the violoncello collection digitization project.
In conducting my action research project, I not only gained hands-on experience in a form of research with which I was unfamiliar, but I also expanded my knowledge on digital collections and international copyright. I would later use this new information in my technology, archives, and music librarianship courses.
Another research project I undertook was a group assignment performing a needs assessment for a library. My group worked with the Jamestown Public Library in Jamestown, North Carolina. The library director approved our proposal to survey the library staff, volunteers, and patrons. We distributed Google Forms and paper surveys to discover how each group believed the library could be improved. Overall, each group rated the library highly; however, based on the data, we concluded that patrons wished to have more updated materials and extended weekend hours. Volunteers wanted training on policies and technology, and staff desired meetings on task delegation and salary.
Each of these assignments helped me to improve my research skills as well as gain experience necessary for the field. We as librarians must have a practical understanding of research, not only to help our patrons, but also to enrich our institutions and our profession.
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