A Critical Approach to Assessment: Using Focus Groups and Interviews to Identify and Measure Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Education Needs of Library Employees

Abstract

In recent years, we have seen a wave of academic libraries deliberately strengthening their contributions to advancing discourse around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) on a national level. However, scholarship and conversations in this area focus largely on the DEI educational needs of library patrons, and there’s often little available on the educational needs of library personnel. Given that DEI education and initiatives can run the gamut, determining where to focus your efforts and what to prioritize can be an overwhelming process.

In this interactive presentation, we will explore strategies used to assess the DEI education needs of Michigan State University Libraries’ employees. Our goal is to share how DEI education initiatives can be supported with specific institutional data and provide insights on how to strategically involve library staff and faculty in the planning process. We will cover specific skills, including question drafting, and lessons learned while planning and implementing focus groups and individual interviews. We will also discuss different data analysis strategies used and explore how this process was valuable for cultivating a practice of assessing internal DEI education in an academic library setting. Other libraries seeking to assess the DEI education needs of their employees can use the strategies and skills covered in this session to identify and examine the critical needs unique to their library. Similarly, those seeking to learn qualitative strategies for assessment, including focus group interviewing, will gain valuable planning and implementation skills. Participants will have opportunities to engage in a variety of activities, including sharing their experiences and comfort levels with focus group research and data analysis; answering a sample focus group question specific to DEI education, and raising questions at the end of the session.