Guest. Post by Will Dean, Health Science Campus Librarian

If you want to understand the world, you know that you need good data, and Temple Libraries is here to help! Love Data Week, hosted by ICSPR (Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research), is an annual celebration of data  and this year’s theme, “Whose Data Is It Anyway?” looks at the origins of data and how that informs our use of it in research and life. Our 2025 Love Data Week workshops and events spotlight the methods and people who work with data and the skills needed to create, interpret and communicate effectively with data. 

At our speaker events you can learn from experts about how the All of Us dataset can improve healthcare research and equity, trends in generative AI use in research and teaching, and current issues in research data privacy and security. Workshops introduce a variety of data skills ranging from analyzing clinical statistics, using data tools, creating maps with data, making Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests for public data, legal coding and health policy surveillance, and data visualization. Below is a list of our offerings, or you click here to see them all.  

Guest post by Kristina De Voe, Fred Rowland, and Van Bich Tran 

Temple University Libraries has an exciting lineup of qualitative research-related workshops and events this semester! See the full list and register here. 

Staff members from the Libraries offer help with qualitative data, analysis, and QDA software and tools. Learn more about our support for qualitative research on the Libraries’ website.  Keep reading to learn more about the events we have planned this semester to bring together qualitative researchers at Temple. 

Data Requests via Federal FOIA and State/Local Right-to-Know Law 
Wed, Feb 12, 12:00 pm -1:00 pm   
Online via Zoom 
Register  

Did you know you have a right to access public records that may contain data and information for your project?  
 
Join us for this Love Data Week workshop which will teach you about the federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law, what records or information can be requested, and how to make a request with a federal agency or state or local government office. Liz Wagenseller, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records, will share tips for a successful request and answer questions. 

Data Privacy and Security: Current Issues for Researchers 
Thu, Feb 13, 10:00 am – 11:00 am 
Charles Library, 1st Floor Event Space  
Register

Data security and privacy concerns and requirements are in a state of flux as new technologies reshape the way we communicate, store data, and do research.  
 
Join us for this Love Data Week panel discussion event with experts from across Temple to learn about current issues, funder requirements, and resources available to stay on top of data privacy and security concerns in the world of research. A Q&A session will follow the panel discussion, so bring your questions! Panelists: Maria Palazuelos Jorganes (Ph.D., MBA), Associate Vice President, Research Compliance, Office of Vice President for Research; Matt Palladinetti, Executive Director, Information Systems, Information Technology Services; and David Comalli, IRB Director, Office of the Vice President for Research.

Join us for other online workshops on qualitative data analysis this semester, taught by members of Temple Libraries’ qualitative research support team.  

For many of these, we are featuring QualCoder, a free, open-source qualitative data analysis (QDA) software that can help save time and support many stages of qualitative research.  Resources for NVivo and ATLAS.ti will also be shared.

QualCoder for Qualitative Data Analysis (QDA) 
Tue, Feb 04, 12:00 pm -1:00 pm 

Transcription and Formatting Files for Qualitative Data Analysis  
Fri, Feb 21, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm 
 
Using Qualtrics 
Tue, Apr 01, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm 
 
Writing and Disseminating Results for Qualitative Data Analysis  
Thu, Apr 10, 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm 

Sharing Data Using the Qualitative Data Repository  

The Qualitative Data Repository (QDR) is a dedicated archive for storing and sharing qualitative and mixed-method research data. QDR staff specialize in qualitative research data and can assist Temple researchers throughout the research process.   

Temple Libraries is a QDR member institution and is eligible for a limited number of no-cost data deposits per year. Researchers should register for a QDR account using their Temple email address to download or deposit data. See our guide to the Qualitative Data Repository to learn more. 

Connect with other Philadelphia area Qualitative Researchers! 

Penn Libraries, in conjunction with the Philadelphia Qualitative Consortium, is hosting a listserv (libqualdata@lists.upenn.edu) to support the inter-institutional collaboration and communication of Philadelphia-area qualitative researchers. The goal of the listserv is to share information about workshops, events, job ads, networking opportunities, and more related to qualitative research. Interested in connecting? Subscribe online.  

By: Ella Lathan

As we welcome the spring 2025 semester at Temple University, Temple Libraries is here to support your academic journey! With our extensive resources, knowledgeable staff, and tailored services, we are dedicated to helping you achieve your academic goals. Let us be your partner in unlocking new possibilities this semester.  

In this post, you’ll discover how to make the most of the Libraries’ offerings this spring. Be sure to check out our website for additional resources and ways to connect with us! 

Find What You Need to Succeed

The Libraries provide access to a broad range of physical and online materials—including books, journals, articles, music, and movies—all discoverable through Library Search. 

Unique Resources 

Textbook Affordability Project 

Each semester, the Libraries compile a list of digitally available textbooks that can substitute for required or recommended course materials. These resources are available to students at no cost, helping you save money while accessing essential course content. 

Personalized Research Support at Your Fingertips 

Embarking on a research project or paper? Our dedicated team of subject librarians and specialists is here to guide you every step of the way. No matter your field of study or academic pursuit, we have an expert librarian or specialist ready to provide tailored assistance. 

How to Connect with Your Librarian 

With our comprehensive support services, you’ll quickly find your way to the best academic resources for your project. Embrace the power of personalized research assistance and elevate your scholarly endeavors this spring! 

Research at Your Own Pace 

Once you’ve reviewed your syllabi, explore our curated Research Guides, designed for various subjects and courses. These guides are expertly assembled by subject librarians and specialists to facilitate your research process. 

Access Tech!

Need to print, photocopy, or scan something? Or just need a computer? Take advantage of our technology services: 

Explore Spaces to Study!

We offer a variety of open seating options to meet student needs for both individual and group study: 

Attend Our Free Events and Workshops! 

This spring semester, we are excited to host a variety of events and workshops aimed at enriching your academic journey. Notable events include Love Data Week, scheduled for February 10-14, and Open Education Week taking place in early March! We also have:

Look at a Book Workshops: Explore the wonderful collection of rare books, manuscripts, zines, and artist’s books from Temple’s Special Collections Research Center.

3D Printing Demonstrations: Discover how to bring your ideas to life with our 3D printing capabilities. 

Live musical concerts: Jam out with fellow peers! And more!

All events are free and open to all students! 

Stay Up-to-Date! 

Follow us on social media and sign up for our mailing list to receive updates from the Libraries, including upcoming events, exhibits, featured resources, and more. 

We’re excited about what this spring semester has in store for you! Let Temple Libraries be your partner in achieving academic success! 

By Ella Lathan

This past fall we had the honor and pleasure of hosting Irene Awenteba Alhassan, an electronic resources librarian from the Ghana Institute for Management and Public Administration (GIMPA). She participated in a Temple University international exchange program that facilitates academic collaboration, partnership and interdisciplinary engagement. Irene’s goals before arriving were centered around wanting to learn about new trends in library services, collaborate in the sharing of knowledge, and establish a lasting relationship between GIMPA and Temple Libraries.  

Through observation, attending workshops, and meeting with staff – Irene has immersed herself into the Temple community. The editor for Speaking Volumes recently had the opportunity to sit down with Irene and discuss what she has learned at Temple Libraries and what she hopes to bring home with her to GIMPA. 

Ella Lathan: What specific trends did you discover during your learning journey, and how do you plan to implement these trends at the GIMPA?  

Irene Alhassan: First of all, I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to Temple University, GIMPA, and Temple University Libraries and University Press for making this experience possible. My journey at Charles Library has been both insightful and transformative. 

One major trend in library services that stood out to me was the architecture and setup of the library. Unlike the traditional library setup, Charles Library embraces a user-centered design, creating spaces that meet diverse learning needs. The inclusion of bean bags and the allowance of food in the library creates a welcoming and accommodating environment for students. I was also impressed by the design of the one-stop service desk. Despite being positioned behind the stairs, it remains highly visible and approachable thanks to the raised seat and computers. I admired how staff multitasked seamlessly, handling both in-person and online queries with efficiency and warmth. 

Another area I hope to champion at GIMPA is the promotion of open access, open education, and open pedagogy. I was inspired by the innovative spirit of the staff at Temple Libraries, who consistently strive to find solutions to challenges and deliver impactful services. 

EL: What unique challenges does your institution face regarding library support and engagement?  

IAH: The mandate of libraries is to support teaching, learning, and research; the challenge of limited budgets and staffing is a major challenge in GIMPA, which I observed is a challenge at Charles Library too. However, I found Charles Library’s approach to community engagement particularly inspiring. Programs such as training community members in internet use and safety, as well as offering career training sessions on CV and résumé writing, stood out to me. These are initiatives I hope to replicate at GIMPA to foster lifelong learning and meaningful connections within our community. 

I want to extend a special thanks to John Oram, Stacks Supervisor, who not only facilitated these initiatives but also gave me the opportunity to assist as a teaching assistant and instructor. This experience allowed me to contribute directly to lifelong learning initiatives, and seeing the positive impact on participants was truly gratifying. 

EL: Reflecting on your experiences, what is something that has been unexpected that you have learned?  

IAH: The BookBot! I was absolutely fascinated by its efficiency and speed in retrieving books. Observing it in action was a highlight of my time at Charles Library; it was an innovative feature that left me thrilled and inspired. Once again, thank you to everyone who made this experience memorable. I am excited to apply the knowledge and insights I’ve gained here to my work at GIMPA and to continue fostering the strong connection between GIMPA and Temple Libraries.