Abstracts
Abstract
This article explores open-ended qualitative feedback collected through an online survey of public library staff (e.g., managers/directors, librarians, volunteers, etc.) in the American South about the racial climate in their internal workplace. Theory of change is the conceptual principle driving this research study that calls for developing relevant solutions stemming from identifying a needed social change based on points of view of stakeholders embedded in the phenomena under study. The contextual background is the reality of racism that is THE PROBLEM in the United States and the world over. The survey questions were focused on four response categories: workplace inclusion and culture, staffing and professional development, workplace policies and procedures, and personal experiences. This research study briefly provides a listing of thematic results for each response category analyzed via application of grounded theory and open, selective, and axial coding. Implications to operationalize civic engagement for racial justice are briefly identified based on the data collected.
Keywords:
- American South,
- qualitative assessment,
- racial justice,
- internal public library workplace,
- racial climate
Résumé
Cet article examine des commentaires qualitatifs ouverts recueillis au moyen d’un sondage en ligne auprès du personnel des bibliothèques publiques (p. ex., gestionnaires/directeurs, bibliothécaires, bénévoles, etc.) dans le Sud des États‑Unis concernant le climat racial au sein de leur milieu de travail interne. La théorie du changement constitue le principe conceptuel guidant cette étude, appelant à développer des solutions pertinentes à partir de l’identification d’un changement social nécessaire, fondé sur les points de vue des parties prenantes impliquées dans le phénomène étudié. Le contexte général est la réalité du racisme, qui constitue LE PROBLÈME aux États‑Unis et dans le monde entier. Les questions du sondage portaient sur quatre catégories de réponses : l’inclusion et la culture en milieu de travail, le personnel et le développement professionnel, les politiques et procédures internes, ainsi que les expériences personnelles. Cette étude de recherche présente brièvement une liste des résultats thématiques pour chaque catégorie de réponses, analysés à l’aide de la théorie ancrée et de codages ouvert, sélectif et axial. Les implications visant à opérationnaliser l’engagement civique en faveur de la justice raciale sont brièvement dégagées à partir des données recueillies.
Mots-clés :
- Sud des États-Unis,
- Évaluation qualitative,
- Espaces de travail des bibliothèques publiques,
- Justice raciale
Appendices
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