Participatory research design is research inquiry in collaboration with users to affect change. The goal is to incorporate patron perspectives in library decision making. If you have a patron population you have an interest in understanding and supporting, participatory design can help tailor library services for their needs. Scott Young, User Experience & Assessment Librarian at Montana State University Libraries, and Hailley Fargo, Student Engagement Librarian at Northern Kentucky University Libraries, will lead a two-day workshop for up to 40 library personnel from the Five Colleges in participatory research training. Young and Fargo collaborated on a conference presentation for ARL’s 2018 library assessment conference entitled “Assessing and Improving the Experience of Underrepresented Populations: A Participatory Design Approach”. The workshop will be an opportunity for library personnel to enhance their research skills and network with colleagues across the Five Colleges.
