The nature and role of empathy in public librarianship

This article presents two recent studies, an AHRC-funded exploration of the role of empathy in community librarianship (Study 1) and an investigation of the role of empathy in service to minority ethnic users (Study 2). Qualitative elements of each methodology are presented, namely a series of focus groups with frontline staff, interviews with senior managers and a research workshop (Study 1), and a case study investigation of a public library in the heart of a Chinese community (Study 2). Synthesizing the data of both studies, an analysis is conducted of the relationship between the cultural identities of library staff and their ability to empathize with the public. It is concluded that empathy plays a role in facilitating effective communication between staff and users, but that a distinction should be made between intuitive and cognitive empathy, in considering the potential of staff training to develop appropriate levels of emotional response to members of all communities

The public library, exclusion and empathy: a literature review

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a review of the literature within the fields of public librarianship, social exclusion and empathy. Design/methodology/approach – The cross-disciplinary review involved the consultation of material from disciplines including library and information management, politics, social policy and social sciences, cultural studies, psychology, management and organizational theory. It was structured according to the following themes: exclusion, inclusion and social policy, social inclusion in public services and the cultural sector, the role of public libraries in social inclusion and professional empathy and the public library service. Findings –The concept of social inclusion remains at the core of public library policy and strategy, and is embedded in contemporary social theory. Conflicting views have emerged as to the perceived and actual role of the public library in combating social exclusion, with a need expressed for research to be conducted that bridges the gap between the “philosophical” interpretations of community librarianship and the more practical, “real world” studies, in order to fully understand the concept of community librarianship. A critical link is made between social inclusion and public librarianship to professional empathy. Research limitations/implications – The paper provides an edited version of the overall literature review, yet it is felt that it would be of theoretical and practical relevance and value to the professional and academic communities. Originality/value – Empathy is a relatively new concept in librarianship research, and prior to the study of which this review forms a part only limited findings have been available

Reader development

Reader development, with adult readers in particular, has experienced a dramatic growth in relatively recent years. This chapter explores this growth, in terms of its impact on library service delivery and policy, and in the context of its more social benefits. Themes frequently used in definitions of reader development are considered, such as intervention, cultural change, reader-centred and social inclusion. A number of frequently cross-sectoral initiatives are presented in order to exemplify the various facets of these definitions. The chapter ends with a consideration of the future of reader development

'We are here because you were there': minority ethnic genre fiction in UK public libraries.

This paper presents findings of ongoing doctoral research into the reading of, and engagement with, minority ethnic genre fiction in public libraries, with a particular focus on Black British and British Asian authors. The research context is first briefly summarised, looking at the nature of minority genre fiction, and at public library provision and readership of materials for ethnically diverse communities. An empirical study is then presented, for which a general survey was conducted of the reading habits and attitudes of library users in the East Midlands region of England. The large sample population of 1,047 public library users enabled both qualitative and quantitative analyses, considering readers’ preferred location for selecting books, their usual reading choices, material that they would not consider reading, and any factors affecting their choice. Finally, a brief comparison is made of libraries of different types, in terms of community, ethnicity or class. The findings indicate that certain respondents appeared to have an increased openness to read from a wide range of genres, even an increased reading confidence as a result of reading books written by minority ethnic authors. It is concluded that promotional activity can play a role not only in offering wider reading choices but also, potentially, in reducing fear and prejudice and celebrating cultural diversity

Research

This chapter provides an overview of the research in librarianship and information science (hereafter LIS) carried out in the UK in the period 2011-2015, complementing the analogous British Librarianship and Information Work chapters by Nicolas for the periods 1991-2000 and 2001-2005 and by Sen and Willett for the period 2006-2010. More specifically, we consider first the funding environment for LIS research in the UK, and then the process and outcome of REF2014, a nationwide evaluation of the quality of research conducted by UK universities. The next, and largest, section discusses the range of LIS research being conducted in the UK as reflected in both the academic and the professional literatures, the latter including a brief discussion of the perceived value of different media to the research process, and the chapter concludes by summarising important characteristics, both positive and negative, of the current state of LIS research in the UK

The concept of neutrality : a new approach

Purpose: Neutrality is a much debated value in Library and Information Science. The ‘neutrality debate’ is characterised by opinionated discussions in contrasting contexts. The study reported here fills a gap in the literature by bringing these conceptions together holistically, with potential to deepen understanding of LIS neutrality. Methodology: Firstly, a literature review identified conceptions of neutrality reported in LIS literature. Secondly, seven phenomenographic interviews with LIS professionals were conducted across three professional sectors. To maximise variation, each sector comprised at least one interview with a professional of five or fewer years’ experience and one with ten or more years’ experience. Thirdly, conceptions from the literature and interviews were compared for similarities and disparities. Findings: Four conceptions each were found in literature and interviews. In the literature these were labelled: ‘Favourable’, ‘Tacit Value’, ‘Social Institutions’ and ‘Value Laden Profession’, whilst in interviews they were labelled: ‘Core Value’, 'Subservient’, ‘Ambivalent’, and ‘Hidden Values’. The study’s main finding notes the ‘Ambivalent’ conception in interviews is not captured by a largely polarised literature which oversimplifies neutrality’s complexity. To accommodate this complexity, it is suggested that future research should look to reconcile perceptions from either side of the ‘neutral non-neutral divide’ through an inclusive normative framework. Value: This study’s value lies in its descriptive methodology which brings LIS neutrality together in a holistic framework. This framework brings a contextual awareness to LIS neutrality lacking in previous research. This awareness has the potential to change the tone of the LIS neutrality debate

The contribution of Library and Information Science education to decolonising

This chapter considers the contribution of Library and Information Science (LIS) education to the ‘decolonising’ of our university curricula, and how students on LIS degree programmes can be supported to explore the concept of decolonising as students both in a Higher Education environment, and in the workplace as LIS professionals