Research
Core Competencies:
a. identify and explain a research question
b. locate, evaluate, analyze, and synthesize research findings
c. identify appropriate research methods, collect, and analyze data to address issues faced by libraries or other information agencies
d. employ evidence-based practices to solve information problems
e. design, conduct, and report research that contributes to the body of professional knowledge and/or theoretical constructs
Description
The purpose of my research proposal was to find out how libraries can help the homeless find shelter and jobs, as well as nutrition and disability help, through the social work departments of a library, and the 'job helps' places in a library as well as technology places of a library, such a computer room, where individuals can search for jobs. All of these can lead to a homeless person gaining an apartment or home. I am also positing whether “Housing First,” is the theory that works best for the homeless.
Analysis
My three research questions were: How do homeless people relate to, seek, and use information on the third floor of the Richland County Public Library to find jobs? As well as: How does the social work room at the Columbia Richland County Public Library help the homeless? And finally: How is information spread about what resources Columbia's Richland County Public Library, has to offer, to homeless people?
Over all, I found that RCPL does have a specific Social Work room which helps homeless and other families in poverty find help such as the first pod shelter program in the southeast of the Unites States called, "Rapid-Reshelter Housing." Also, this leads me to believe that the homeless can be helped, especially by the "Housing First" initiative and that other "Rapid-Reshelter Housing" projects should be established, as well as, social work offices in libraries. As of yet, I have not contacted my state government about creating more "Rapid-Reshelter Housing in South Carolina, but it's probably something I will do.
Reflection
Reflecting on my research proposal, I find that "Housing First," is the right way to approach the problem of homelessness across the United States and that public libraries can help by establishing social work connections between people in poverty, or the homeless, to get them into shelters or projects such as "Rapid-Reshelter Housing." I may also write a letter to my local government to ask if it is possible to create "Rapid-Reshelter housing throughout cities in South Carolina," as well as improve my focus while researching by "Reporting," "Finding the Limitations of a Study," "Ethical Concerns, Potential Remedies," and, "Positionality Statements," such as choosing "Expedited" or "Full Board Review."