“We Bring Change to the People” or Not: Understanding Librarians’ Views on Reference and Information Service as Social Justice Work

Abstract

This qualitative secondary analysis reanalyzes data from a Q methodology study with 66 participants from a variety of library types in Slovenia, South Africa, and the United States. In the original Q methodology study, many participants ranked the statement “librarian as agent of change” as an important conceptualization of reference and information service (RIS). To elucidate and expand this finding, the qualitative data surrounding “librarian as agent of change” were analyzed thematically to understand how participants viewed, or did not view, RIS as making change. Results show that for librarians who perceive themselves as agents of change, making change is an obligation that librarians are particularly suited to do. In addition, change can be viewed on different levels—individual, organizational, and societal. Results show that the pervasiveness of neutrality in RIS prevents some librarians from taking on a role supporting social change and advocacy.