2017 Beta Phi Mu-Library Research Round Table Research Paper Award Winner

​The 2017 winner of the Beta Phi Mu-Library Research Round Table Research Paper Award is "Including the Voices of Librarians of Color in Reference and Information Services Work", authored by Amy VanScoy and Kawanna Bright. Dr. VanScoy is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Library and Information Studies, University at Buffalo. Ms. Bright is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Research Methods and Statistics at the University of Denver. They will receive a certificate and a $500 award at the American Library Association’s annual conference in Chicago this summer.
 
Reviewers described their research question as having “important implications for the profession, both in terms of diversity and social justice. It also has valuable potential for improving Reference and Instruction services for patrons of color.” The paper provided an “excellent review of the literature… to explain and revisit meaning for the results. ... Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) addresses commonalities and differences in the lived experiences of the phenomenon, which suits this question. The identification of clear themes… provides a valuable context for improving the work environment and supporting inclusiveness in the profession… provid[ing] potential for improving the equity and justice of reference and instructional services as well.”

http://www.betaphimu.org/bpm-lrrt-paper-winner.html