Understanding libraries with qualitative techniques [TG3/Qualitative]
Practical workshop for ethnographic approaches with Dr Donna Lanclos using interviews
Wednesday 4th March and Wednesday 18th March, 2-4pm
Fed up with survey or project results that we could have predicted ourselves? Refresh yourself, or learn for the first time, techniques that will help improve services for our library users.
This event will be delivered by the well-known expert Dr Donna Lanclos on the qualitative techniques that are appropriate for our libraries in 2026. In these two sessions Donna will focus on the process of preparing, engaging in, and analysing interviews, as one way to better understand people’s habits and techniques in their study, work, and other contexts.
This event will be held over two afternoons and will equip you with skills to learn some practical techniques. Have a practice on your own and then come back and learn how to use what you have obtained to meaningful effect. It will stimulate you on what you want to explore at your own place of work.
This session will be practical and will involve some work outside of the session. We will be asking you before the event takes place to find someone who agrees to be interviewed (between session one and session two) scheduled a short interview with one person (a colleague is fine) and we will be asking some participants to share their work in this collaborative and safe environment.
Programme:
Wednesday 4th March 14:00-16:00
- Techniques and methods–how to and what you will need to do
- Ethics and consent
- Interview instrument/questions
- Set up for interview exercise in between sessions
- Helpful software tips for transcription
- Questions
Wednesday 18th March 14:00-16:00
- Debrief about interview exercise
- Coding: inductive and deductive analysis of interview content
- Generating ideas for next steps: what questions arise from this interview exercise? What other techniques are necessary to learn more from people about their practices?
- Setting intentions: How would you use interviews in your place of work?
- Questions
Donna Lanclos
I am an anthropologist and a folklorist and have been unapologetic about those two things for quite a while, now. I found myself working in academic libraries starting in 2009, and since then have been thinking, writing, and talking a lot about the nature of information, digital and physical places, and higher education generally. I see my work as relevant not just to libraries or universities, but to conversations about how we as a society make sure that people have opportunities to learn how to think critically, to practice those skills, and to find their voices. I work with a lot of different people. In addition to research and writing, I conduct workshops, facilitate discussions, give talks, and participate in panel discussions on a range of topics that I find interesting.
Cost
£50 members
£100 non member institutions
Information for joining:
- This session is virtual and will run via Zoom. Once your booking has been confirmed, joining instructions will be emailed the day before the event.
- Electronic CPD attendance certificates can be provided on request. Please request via cpd25@london.ac.uk
Cancellations less than one week before the event will be charged a 50% cancellation fee. In the event of a ‘no-show’ on the day, the full fee will be charged.
To book a place, please use our online booking form. Please remember to include your PO number as bookings cannot be confirmed without this.