Photovoice: a creative method to engage library user community
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/LHT-10-2016-0113 |
| Date | 20 March 2017 |
| Pages | 179-185 |
| Published date | 20 March 2017 |
| Author | Lili Luo |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science,Librarianship/library management,Library technology,Information behaviour & retrieval,Information user studies,Metadata,Information & knowledge management,Information & communications technology,Internet |
Photovoice: a creative method to
engage library user community
Lili Luo
School of Information,
San Jose State University, San Jose, California, USA
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to generate awareness of and interest in the photovoice method, and
help librarians to be more creative in examining user needs, perceptions and behavior and be more effective in
conducting outreach to user communities.
Design/methodology/approach –Photovice is a qualitative method that combines visuals and narratives
in exploring community issues. This paper reviews the photovoice method and discusses its implications in
engaging library user communities.
Findings –Photovoice is rarely used in library research and practice and only three published studies
reported the use of this method. The three studies were reviewed in this paper to offer ideas regarding the
potential application of this method in the library profession.
Originality/value –This paper provides an overview of an innovative method and contributes new ideas to
library outreach and user engagement.
Keywords Research methods, User engagement, Photovoice, Library outreach, User community,
User research
Paper type General review
1. Introduction
In March 2016,Library Journal, after reachingout to academic and publiclibrary directors and
other thought leaders nationwide, identified 11 essential skills librarians are expected
to master in the next 20 years. One such skill was the ability to identify the data needed to
make decisions, understand how to collect, analyze and gain insight from that data, and
present the accompanying narrative to explain it to others (Schwartz, 2016). Data are key
component of this skill, and an important source of data is input from the community of
library users.How are users using library collections/services/facilities? Howsatisfied are they
with their libraryexperience? What are the inadequaciesin meeting their needs? User input is
criticalin helping library professionalsunderstand how successful the libraryis in serving the
user community. Traditionally, librarians have been gathering user input through survey,
in-depth interview and focus group. However, these methods are not necessarily effective in
generating responses from communities that are wary of outsiders, isolated, underserved,
oppressed or operating without writtenlanguage (Haldenby, 2016). For instance,international
students who are not fluentin English or struggle with cultural barriers may be reluctant or
unable to, answer surveyquestionnaires or participate in focusgroups or interviews to share
their views of the library. In order to capture a complete, accurate and unbiased picture of
library user needs, perceptions or behavior, it is important to consider more engaging
approaches to involve library users and elicit their input. Photovoice is one such method.
Through the utilization of photographsand stories, it allows community members to identify
and represent issues of importance to them, enabling policy makers to develop a greater
understandingof the issues, and formulate effective and comprehensive strategies to address
them in a way that is also meaningful for the community (Nykiforuk et al.,2011).
Photovoice is a qualitative method often used in community-based participatory
research (CBPR), where community members take photos related to a particular issue and
tell their stories behind the photos in a facilitated discussion. Community members are
believed to be more imaginative and observant of community issues than the most
Library Hi Tech
Vol. 35 No. 1, 2017
pp. 179-185
© Emerald PublishingLimited
0737-8831
DOI 10.1108/LHT-10-2016-0113
Received 27 October 2016
Accepted 29 November 2016
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/0737-8831.htm
179
Photovoice:
a creative
method
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