Using Photo-Elicitation with Native American Students to Explore Perceptions of the Physical Library

Abstract

the terms of the Creative CommonsAttribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike License 4.0 International (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-ncsa/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly attributed, not used for commercial purposes, and, if transformed, the resulting work is redistributed under the same or similar license to this one. AbstractObjective -This research project explored Native American students' perceptions of the Edmon Low Library at Oklahoma State University (OSU). The study sought to understand how Native American students perceived the role of the academic library in their lives, and which elements of the library students depicted and described as holding meaning for them.Methods -Photo-elicitation, a form of visual research and a participatory research method, was the primary method chosen to explore students' perceptions of the library. To qualify for this study, students self-identified as Native American and as frequent library users. They also had completed three or more semesters of study at OSU. Five students followed a photo prompt for taking at least fifteen pictures of the library, then participated in two separate interviews with the Evidence Based Library and Information Practice 2016, 11.2 57 primary researcher. Participants also completed a demographic/questionnaire form, answered semi-structured questions, and ranked the photos they took.Results -This study produced several emergent findings. First, students expressed uncertainty about the library's books. Second, functional library tools such as express printers and library signage played a valuable role for facilitating student work. Third, the method of photoelicitation was enjoyable for students and served as library discovery. Fourth, Native American resources and exhibits in the library had varied salience for students.Conclusion -Limited research focuses on Native American students in academic libraries, particularly on how students use and experience the library. Exploring how individual students who identify as Native American perceive the university library enhanced our understanding of how libraries in Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs) can best serve and support students. This study provided insight into the method of photo-elicitation interviews. This research also provided practical benefits for student participants through increased library knowledge.

Seeing information: Visual methods as entry points to information practices

“…Coinciding with the rise of interest in user experience research (Fried Foster and Gibbons, 2007) and emerging from the wish to address ‘unintentional misalignments between a library’s services and user needs’ (Gibbons, 2013), photo-elicitation is one of a suite of research methods that has been employed to inform the design of more responsive libraries. Providing a way for librarians to gather feedback about their patrons’ perceptions and use of library space (Haberl and Wortman, 2012; Neurohr and Bailey, 2016; Newcomer et al, 2016; Pun et al, 2017) as well as student research habits and preferences (Buck, 2016; Click, 2014; Click et al, 2012), these studies provide insight into information needs within changing library environments. Most recently, photo-elicitation has been used in conjunction with the Pixstori app to explore the information experiences of three to six-year-old children (Barriage, 2016; 2017).…”

Through the Students’ Lens: Photographic Methods for Research in Library Spaces

“…More recent examples of visual methods applied in library contexts also show significant promise for providing new insights into our users' experiences (Haberl & Wortman, 2012;Julien, Given, & Opryshko, 2013;Lin & Chiu, 2012;Neurohr & Bailey, 2016;Newcomer, Lindahl, & Harriman, 2016;Treadwell, Binder, & Tagge, 2012). Furthermore, these studies point to the constructive, user-centered input that visual methods can provide for making improvements to library spaces and services.…”

Mobile apps for visual research: Affordances and challenges for participant-generated photography

“…Photoelicitation forms one of the most commonly used methods. Typically employed to assess library community needs (e.g., Neurohr & Bailey, 2016), photo-elicitation has also been recognized as providing the means through which researchers can access tacit and nuanced ways of knowing (Hicks & Lloyd, 2018). Photovoice has also been employed within a variety of LIS research projects (e.g.…”