Research through a Critical Lens: #LibParlor #critlib mashup #1

Back at the beginning of January, the LibParlor Editorial team decided to propose some #critlib chats. Our goal was to explore the process and theory behind conducting research through a critical lens. Our first chat, “Doing critlib research” happened on January 9th, 2018. This was our first time running a critlib chat, and we were a little nervous.

Excited (and a little nervous) to moderate an upcoming #critlib chat with @libraringkat on Tuesday. Don’t miss our convo on #critlib #research (chat topic motivated by our work over at #libparlor) https://t.co/r99BQ90sr1

— Hailley Fargo (@hailthefargoats) January 5, 2018

But, armed with notes, alarms set for moving through the discussion questions, and our Slack channel open, the LibParlor team was ready to roll. During our hour, we covered a lot of ground. Below is just a sampling of our conversation — enjoy!

Q1. How did you get involved with critlib and what kind of #critlib-related research are you working on right now or hope to work on soon?

A1: As far as #critlib projects, I’m in the process of creating a podcast devoted to, as I put it, “radical library workers, knowledge activists, and information freedom fighters” who are use social justice to transform lives in the communities they serve.

— Bibliobobpdx (@bibliobobpdx) January 10, 2018

 

A1: I just started a tenure track position, and having followed #critlib casually helped me feel more confident bringing critical theory into my interview, so thanks! I haven’t started any research yet, but I’d like to work on critical info lit. And zines!

— liz chenevey (@gnomadlibrarian) January 10, 2018

Q1 A: I got involved in grad school after hearing about #critlib from peers. I’m hoping to do research on information dissemination amongst language and cultural brokers. I’m just starting this but am very excited about it!

— Sheila (@ssgarcia23) January 10, 2018

I’m always late!

Q1: How did you get involved with #critlib and what kind of #critlib related research are you working on right now or hope to work on soon?

A1: Was on twitter when a chat was going on, thought it looked interesting. Co-editing a text on disabilities + libraries

— Jessica Schomberg (@schomj) January 10, 2018

Q2. How does #critlib pedagogy influence your research and how do you incorporate critical approach in your research?

Q2. For me a critical approach is a kind of rhetorical strategy. A process of thinking through contradictions. Uncovering relationships and unpacking systems of oppression that are easy to overlook or ignore. I don’t always think of #critlib as pedagogical though

— Nora Almeida (@nora_almeida) January 10, 2018

A2.1 I try to incorporate #critlib pedagogy in my teaching, & my teaching hugely impacts my research. Right now Im obsessing over how to teach students to examine the power structures at play re: getting info from corporate algorithms (deeply appreciative nod to @safiyanoble) https://t.co/QWWdlatRQm

— Chelsea Heinbach (@chelseaheinbach) January 10, 2018

Yup! #critlib takes student-centeredness, which could easily fall into a neoliberal trap, and makes it about questioning power structures in academia.

— V. Arellano Douglas (@arellanover) January 10, 2018

For now, as I research things to implement rather than “doing research”, #critlib has framed my understanding of who is welcome and invited to libraries. Rather than a methodology of research, it’s how I know *what* to research ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ #critlib

— Charlotte (@cha_cjb) January 10, 2018

Agree! A2. #critlib has given me the freedom / confidence to go beyond positivist social science style LIS research. It also helped me understand that just bc my questions couldn’t be answered by surveys didn’t mean they weren’t worth asking.

— V. Arellano Douglas (@arellanover) January 10, 2018

Q3. What’s the most influential #critlib theory/book/article you’ve read and how has it impacted your research and day to day work as a librarian?

I first read bell hooks in undergrad women’s studies classes, but I read “Teaching to transgress” when I first started teaching library sessions and it was foundational to how I approach teaching to this day. #critlib https://t.co/6VAC6bq43D

— Charissa Explains It All (@CharissaAPowell) January 10, 2018

A3: Currently reading Topographies of Whiteness. So good! #critlib

— Symphony Bruce (@curlsinthelib) January 10, 2018

For everyone who loves Topographies of Whiteness and esp if you ID as white and a woman, rec editor and general BAMF @ginaschless‘s amazing “The Legacy of Lady Bountiful.” https://t.co/pWWNBE9pWA #critlib https://t.co/AQjEbKqgOI

— Kate Crowe (@kcrowe) January 10, 2018

A3. The Critical Library Pedagogy Handbook is so great. I use it for inspiration. But for some reason, when I think #critlib, I always think of this blog post by @EamonTewell – https://t.co/QyM7TeCpV4 😍

— Lindsey Wharton (@lnwharton) January 10, 2018

A3.2 Also, a quick plug for the already created #critlib reading list available here: https://t.co/4hNFJsMUiR

— Kevin Seeber (@kevinseeber) January 10, 2018

And don’t worry, we got a list of all the books and articles recommended, and we hope to display these in our soon-to-be-created resource page!

Q4. Have you received any pushback from colleagues about doing #critlib-related research? How have you handled these conversations? How would you hope to handle them if this happened to you?

A4. I’ve received pushback a la “this is trendy now, but the topic’s going to die once this wave of new folks gets tenured.” I pushed back against it and moved ahead anyway #critlib

— Bronwen K. Maxson (@soccerbrarian) January 10, 2018

Q4. I can write whatever I want, but in conversations with colleagues I sometimes find we don’t have shared assumptions #critlib

— Nancy Foasberg (@nfoasberg) January 10, 2018

finding a #critlib friendly workplace was so important to me in applying for my current job!

— Charissa Explains It All (@CharissaAPowell) January 10, 2018

A4. I’ve received push back from peer reviewers wondering how I could write an article without using any statistics… #critlib

— Kevin Seeber (@kevinseeber) January 10, 2018

Q5. What do you hope to achieve with #critlib research?

A.5. Optimistic answer: Continually change my approach to teaching and student engagement. Realistic answer: Try new stuff. Engage with people. Avoid crushing burnout. #critlib

— Nora Almeida (@nora_almeida) January 10, 2018

A5. I want to do the best I can for students, colleagues, and the field. I want to make things better, even in a little way. #critlib

— Lindsey Wharton (@lnwharton) January 10, 2018

A5. For me, applying #critlib is as much seeking out new methodologies and practices as it is identifying what we can finally relegate to the trash. I’m so ready to let go of LIS baggage.

— Kevin Seeber (@kevinseeber) January 10, 2018

simple answer, but more inclusive research #critlib https://t.co/sOH90A18Dn

— Charissa Explains It All (@CharissaAPowell) January 10, 2018

A5 Turning new knowledge into better practice. #critlib https://t.co/CxjLeVks6v

— Kate Crowe (@kcrowe) January 10, 2018

And with that, our hour was up

Well, our hour is up. Thank you so much for participating #critlib. It was a great conversation 👏😀 — thanks for sharing your insight and experiences! pic.twitter.com/QW1J9bhOP4

— Hailley Fargo (@hailthefargoats) January 10, 2018

We were even lucky to find some excellent bonus tweets the next day!

…this work grows in the field through 1) #critlib people & relationships, which are 2) integrated into the org structures through which we all work. Gratified to see my friends become leaders in this 💖& so excited for the new voices speaking in the chat tonight. #LibParlor

— Donna Witek (@donnarosemary) January 10, 2018

Thanks to all of you who participated in our chat. I don’t know about you, but this chat really got us excited about the possibilities and opportunities for research with a critical librarianship lens.

Don’t miss our second #LibParlor #critlib mashup chat, all about publishing, whiteness, and inequities. The conversation starts Tuesday, February 6th at 6pm Pacific / 7pm Mountain / 8pm Central / 9pm Eastern.