For many of these, we are featuring ATLAS.ti, a qualitative data analysis (QDA) software that can help save time and support many stages of qualitative research. All workshops will be offered as online sessions via Zoom.
Staff members from the Libraries offer help with qualitative data, analysis, and QDA software and tools. Visit the Libraries’ website to learn more about our support for qualitative research.
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. Learn more on our guide to the Qualitative Data Repository.
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.
This summer, the Makerspace at Temple University Libraries’ Loretta C. Duckworth Scholars Studio (LCDSS) welcomed 30 high school students for a hands-on course in 3D design, Computer-Aided Design (CAD) modeling, and 3D printing. The program was a collaboration between three educational organizations and two technology companies working together to open doors to technology and design: Launchpad Philly, CreateAccess, the Scholars Studio, Comcast, and Bentley Systems.
Launchpad Philly prepares Philadelphia students from underrepresented communities for the tech careers of the future, from software development to AI. Over two and a half years, participants gain 2,000+ hours of training, industry-recognized certifications, and paid work experience. CreateAccess engages beginners in 3D creation to ignite curiosity, build confidence, and help them see that careers in 3D are within reach. CreateAccess augments Launchpad’s core programs by introducing students to 3D creation through project-based micro courses.
Ruth, Jennica, and Loceny in the Makerspace creating their 3D project.
As part of this program, CreateAccess supported Launchpad students in learning foundational CAD modeling skills that enabled them to design custom trophies to be awarded at Ignite, Launchpad’s annual pitch competition.
Ignite is a highlight of the Launchpad journey, where students practice design thinking, entrepreneurship, and public speaking while pitching app ideas that solve real problems in their communities. To inspire their designs, students also visited the Comcast Technology Center, where they toured the fabrication lab, were introduced to industrial design, and had the opportunity to work with industrial design professionals to create their initial trophy design concepts. They later had the opportunity to get feedback about their in-progress designs from colleagues from Bentley Systems.
When asked about the partnership, Nick Imparato, Launchpad’s Program Director, remarked, “Having physical trophies to provide to Ignite’s winners took the event to the next level and provided a fantastic opportunity to showcase our students’ technical skill and creativity. None of this would have been possible without the incredible work of the CreateAccess team and the technical support and space the Makerspace provided.”
At the Scholars Studio, students brought their concepts to life. With access to the Makerspace’s state-of-the-art equipment and the support of staff, they produced the final 3D-printed trophies that debuted at Ignite. Combining Launchpad’s mission, CreateAccess’s expertise, insights from industry professionals, and the Scholars Studio’s resources gave students a powerful experience in design, problem-solving, 3D technical skills development, and innovation, preparing them for the rapidly evolving tech world ahead.
“Exposing high school students to software like this increases their digital literacy within every CAD/CAM-applicable industry and prepares them to engage with it in college at a high level,” Hannah Tardie, Makerspace Manager, said. “It’s important to increase inclusivity and accessibility around these programs, not just because these students don’t typically have access to curriculum on advanced software and equipment, but also because they will push the field in new and dynamic ways.”
Umbar and Jamir in the Makerspace showing off their 3D print.
Learning CAD/CAM software can be profoundly empowering. Tardie underscores, the process of designing objects and bringing them to life through 3D printing represents a form of worldbuilding that echoes what digital media scholar Ruha Benjamin describes as Radical Imaging. Engaging in 3D modeling encourages students to think abstractly about the possibilities they envision, transform those ideas into concrete designs, and then realize them through printing.
This practice demonstrates to students that they have the ability to shape and influence their world. It also emphasizes that they are not limited to relying on preexisting objects or systems—they can create the tools, artifacts, and possibilities they want to see.
Students’ feedback about the program highlighted the benefits of seeing how their ideas “came to real life” and their appreciation for an environment to “grow and develop.” Several highlighted their specific interest in 3D printing, which was made possible through the resources of the Makerspace.
The Ignite winners for Best Pitch – GravitasQuest – standing with CreateAccess Co-Founder and Executive Director Liz Dailey and Ignite Judge and Comcast UX Designer Willem Schreiks.
None of which would have been possible without the resources as well as the passionate, knowledgeable staff that work at the LCDSS at Temple University Libraries.
“I was excited when Launchpad approached me with this program because it is exactly the type of work we want to grow and support in the Makerspace,” Tardie said. “I aim for the Makerspace within Temple Libraries to increase digital literacy and expand upon the definition of digital literacy and what that can mean for library patrons. I love that the collaboration between Launchpad and CreateAccess focused on training students to complete fun and interesting assignments on sophisticated, industry-standard digital software. CAD (computer aided design) software can be intimidating, and the projects I saw come out of this summer program were impressive and unique. It’s evident that the curriculum Launchpad X CreateAccess produced was intentionally planned and well executed.”
Ignite Trophies created by Launchpad Students at the Makerspace.
Beyond the Makerspace, Launchpad and CreateAccess were able to use one of Temple’s state of the art computer labs at a different facility on campus to support a video game design track.
Joe Lucia, Dean of Libraries, remarked, “Our aspiration for the Charles Library has always been for it to function as an educational resource for our community and through its skilled staff and unique resources such as the Makerspace to bring it to life as an on-ramp for engaging curious students with new tools and technologies. It’s great to see those aspirations becoming reality and including young people from our neighborhood. It’s a wonderful realization of our vision.”
Programs like this are vital to Temple University Libraries and to the University as a whole. They embody our commitment to forward thinking and to investing in the next generation. As a library—and as an institution rooted in North Philadelphia—we carry a responsibility to foster education and opportunity. This program demonstrates how cultivating an inclusive environment, teaching real-world skills, and encouraging creativity can spark innovation, perseverance, and tenacity—qualities our world needs now more than ever.
Imagine if you were the next writer published in over 500 Short Story Dispensers worldwide. Starting on September 29th you could be!
What is it?
The Long Story Short Award is an annual writing competition organized by Short Édition, featuring participation from over 20 universities globally this year. Temple University Libraries is proud to join in, and we eagerly await your submissions. Read on to discover more about the contest, application process, submission guidelines, and the selection criteria for winners.
Stay Tuned for Updates!
Mark your calendars for September 29th when we will unveil the theme on our website!
Contest Duration
The Contest opens on September 29th at 09:00 a.m. EST and close on November 2nd at 11:59 p.m. EST.
All submitted works will be published on the contest webpage on November 3rd. The public will be invited to participate in the selection of the public winner by voting for their favorite story from November 3rd through November 23rd. During this time, the editorial team will select one jury’s winner and one jury’s coup de cœur (jury’s favorite). The winners will be announced on December 3rd!
General Submission Conditions
No purchase is required to submit or to win the Contest. All the Submissions will be reviewed by the Organizer’s editorial team to ensure they comply with the Contest Official Rules. Each submission can be disqualified if it does not comply with the Contest Official Rules. Each submission must be new, unpublished, original and written by the submitting Author and shall be written in English.
The submission process is entirely electronic via the contest website. No paper manuscripts will be accepted. The submission form is copy/paste format.
Specific Submission Conditions
Submissions must not exceed 7,500 characters (including spaces).
Submissions must be only short stories. We do not accept poetry.
Authors shall choose their own username while creating their author account — this username will therefore be associated with their Submission when published on the Contest website — and shall also provide their full name and contact information to the Organizer via their online account profile. The Organizer must be able to easily get in touch with each Author for any reason.
After Submission, each Author will be emailed a confirmation of receipt. Authors will receive an email if there is a change in status of their Submission.
Publication
All submitted works will be published on the contest webpage on November 3, 2025.
Winners
Once the works are published on the Contest website, the Online Community will have two weeks to vote for their favorite story. Members of the Online Community can vote for as many stories as they wish, but only vote once for each story. Members of the Online Community can comment on as many stories as they wish.
The Organizer’s editorial team will select amongst the submissions one winner and one Coup de cœur. There will also be an Online Community winner (hereinafter referred to as “Public Winner”), which will be the story who receives the most Online Community votes.
The Prizes
For the Jury’s Winner: a monetary prize of $550 USD
For the Jury’s Coup de cœur: a monetary prize $400 USD
For the Public Winner: a monetary prize of $550 USD
Monetary prizes will be paid to the recipients via Paypal or a wire-transfer by the Organizer. Jury Winner, Public Winner and Coup de cœur are each solely responsible for any applicable taxes on their prize money.
The universities of the public and jury-chosen winners will be awarded free Short Story Discs and eco-friendly paper rolls.
Voting Conditions
The offering of incentives or any other counterpart in exchange for votes or comments is strictly prohibited. The use of bots and/or robotic submissions is prohibited. The Organizer has the right to delete any vote, at any time, where it suspects that such vote violated at least one of the previously mentioned Contest Official Rules, without any liability towards the member of the Online Community or the Author.
Members of the Online Community can vote for as many Qualifying Submissions as they wish, but only vote once for each Qualifying Submission. Members of the Online Community may comment on as many Qualifying Submissions as they wish.
Check back in with us in late September
The theme will be posted on our website on September 29th, be sure to check back in with us then to find out how you can become the next writer published in over 500 Short Story Dispensers worldwide.
13th Street entrance to Charles Library, photo by Nathan Cox.
Dive into the fall 2025 semester at Temple University with Temple Libraries by your side! Our extensive resources, knowledgeable staff, and tailored services are here to propel your academic success. Let us be your partner in unlocking new possibilities and achieving your goals.
In this post you’ll learn ways to use the Libraries to your advantage this academic year. Be sure to check out our website for more 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.
Special Collections Research Center entrance located on the 1st Floor of Charles Library, photo by Josue L Hurtado.
Personalized Research Support at Your Fingertips
Embarking on a research project or paper? Our dedicated team of subject librarians and specialists are 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 well-versed in your discipline, ready to provide tailored assistance.
Connecting with your personal research guru is a breeze. Simply choose the mode that suits you best:
Chat: Our 24/7 chat service ensures you’ll always have a knowledgeable librarian or specialist at your disposal, no matter when inspiration strikes.
Email: Prefer the written word? Fire off an email, and your librarian or specialist will respond promptly with insightful guidance.
Appointments: For in-depth consultations, schedule a virtual or in-person appointment at your convenience. Your librarian or specialist will be fully dedicated to your research needs.
With our comprehensive support services, you’ll quickly find your way to the best academic resources for your project.
Research at Your Own Pace
Once you’ve reviewed your syllabi, explore our curated Research Guides for subjects, courses, and research skill development expertly assembled by subject librarians and specialists.
Each semester the Libraries compile a list of digitally available textbooks that may substitute for required or recommended course textbooks. They are available to students at no cost.
Add LibKey Nomad to your browser to ease your browsing abilities! LibKey Nomad is a browser extension that facilitates access to the Libraries’ full text resources as you find research on the web. LibKey Nomad provides one-click access to full text from websites like PubMed, Wikipedia and publisher pages. Go to the Download Libkey Nomad website. Click on the icon for your browser of choice and follow the prompts to add the extension. Choose Temple University as your institution.
Laptop and Print-on-the-GO kiosk located on the 1st Floor of Charles Library, photo by Geneva Heffernan
We offer a variety of open seating options to satisfy student needs for individual and group study. Students can also book study rooms ahead of time at Charles Library and the Ginsburg Health Sciences Library.
3rd Floor study area that overlooks the Student Success Center, photo by Michael Grimm.
If you are interested in making use of the Libraries’ advanced equipment and technology, visit the Loretta C. Duckworth Scholars Studio in Charles Library and the Innovation Space at Ginsburg Health Sciences Library.
The Innovation Space at the Ginsburg Health Sciences Library, photo by Brae Howard Photography.The Makerspace at Charles Library, photo by Ella Lathan.
The Scholars Studio has many spaces to create in, such as the Tech Sandbox, the Makerspace, and the Media Production Studio. The media production studio is a room designed for individuals and groups to record and edit audio for podcasts, music, and more! It contains a PC and Mac setup as well as professional recording equipment, so no matter what you’re used to working with, we’ve got you covered. It can be reserved from Monday-Friday between the hours of 9AM and 5PM and is open to students, faculty, and staff of Temple University.
Attend Our Free Events and Workshops!
Last year’s Music in the Stacks Concert in the Charles Library Atrium, photo by Ella Lathan.
We host various events and workshops throughout the academic year. In addition, we’ll be offering a lineup of concerts, conversations, and specialized workshops, on everything from CV writing to 3D printing.
As always, our events and workshops are free and open to all.
Stay Up to Date!
Follow us on social media and sign up for our mailing list to get future updates from the Libraries, including upcoming events and exhibits, featured resources, and more.
Hydroponic Display located on the 3rd Floor of Charles Library, photos by Ella Lathan.
The Office of Sustainability and staff at Charles Library have worked together to install a hydroponics display located by the main staircase on the 3rd Floor. This installation was led by Green Grant recipients, Engineers for Climate Action. The Green Grant funds student-led projects, programs, and initiatives that advance Temple University’s commitment to sustainability through their positive impact on campus and our local environment and community.
Engineers for Climate Action were awarded $900 from the Office of Sustainability’s Green Grant for parts associated with the construction of the hydroponics display. Their sustainable hydroponics system, an innovative solution for growing plants using mineral-rich water instead of soil, now lives in Charles Library.
Since its installation in late April, it has become a luscious garden! Ranging in plant variety from tomatoes to kale, few libraries are lucky enough to have tomatoes growing inside the actual building!
Hydroponic Display on June 3, 2025.
Hydroponic Display on July 15, 2025.
“Not only do our crops use ~90% less water than traditional methods, but the living installation serves as a reminder to all students on campus that there is a culture of sustainability here are Temple,” Maddy Mailloux said.
Hydroponic systems have many benefits including enhancing plant yields, using less water, being able to grow all year round, and preventing soil degradation. The hydroponics system is not just a tool for growing plants—it is a platform for cultivating awareness, fostering collaboration, and driving progress toward a more sustainable future.
All made possible by the Green Grant recipients, these students have worked hard to achieve this triumph but they couldn’t have done it without one another.
“A little extra effort goes a long way when it comes to sustainability… working in collaboration towards a common goal can do a lot of good on our campus,” Erich Sands said.
Want to learn more about how the hydroponic system works? Check out this blog post.
The grant application opens late in the fall semester, and winners are selected early the following calendar year. Project implementation and execution spans the spring semester.
After nearly two decades of visionary leadership as Associate University Librarian, Steven Bell retired this May, capping an extraordinary career spanning over forty years in academic librarianship. Bell’s impact at Temple University Libraries has been profound and far-reaching. Since joining Temple in 2007, he has championed innovation and student success—leading the university’s first-ever Textbook Affordability Project, pioneering initiatives for zero- and low-cost course materials, and continuously exploring ways to enhance the library user experience for the entire campus community.
Bell’s impact extends well beyond Temple. He is widely recognized as an influencer and innovator in the field, with an impressive portfolio of peer-reviewed articles, professional publications, dozens of keynote talks, presentations and workshops, professional association leadership, years as a library science educator and some well-received books to his name. His advocacy for accessible education and his commitment to empowering students and faculty have set new standards for academic libraries nationwide.
In retirement, Bell looks forward to spending more time with family, pursuing personal projects, and continuing his lifelong dedication to libraries by working part-time at his local branch.
Recently, the editor of Speaking Volumes sat down with Bell to reflect on his remarkable tenure at Temple Libraries.
Ella Lathan: What do you think has been your biggest accomplishment in your tenure at Temple?
Steven Bell: I have several accomplishments of which I’m proud to have achieved, particularly the ones that came about through collaboration with my TULUP colleagues, which is always the fun way to get things done at work. But I think our open education work is perhaps what stands as the most significant of them. Looking back, I can say it has had a lasting national impact. Temple was among the first academic libraries to make the case for dedicating staff time and financial resources to promote the value of open education resources. The innovation was a strategically designed Textbook Affordability Project to incentivize faculty to choose zero-cost learning materials over the traditional, expensive commercial textbooks that were costly for students to purchase, and which often failed to support their learning success. At that time, such programs were relatively unheard of.
This was back in 2010. Now they are commonplace in higher education, having been duplicated in hundreds of other academic libraries. In time, this early work was refined and led to new open education innovations and initiatives. For example, supporting faculty to adopt open pedagogy methods in the classroom, acquiring e-books that would support low-cost access to course materials for students, as well as getting support from other academic areas of the institution, whether it’s Academic Affairs, the Provost’s Office, or the Teaching and Learning Center. Most importantly, we raised awareness about the impact costly course materials have on students’ ability to have an affordable education. We engaged our educators, administrators and students with the idea that we can achieve learning outcomes in the absence of expensive course materials. I think it’s been most impactful, and I am proud that as an institution we’ve supported this initiative over the years. It’s especially gratifying to have worked with outstanding colleagues in our Open Education Group, with support from Temple student government and other academic support offices. I’m really proud of the way they’re carrying on the work that we started a long time ago. I left feeling confident this work will continue and improve in ways that yield future benefits to our students and those who educate them.
EL: With all the great work you and the Open Education Group have done at Temple, how have you seen the textbook affordability initiatives change over time at the state level?
SB: At the state level, academic librarians are much more organized than in the past. Affordable Learning Pennsylvania (ALPA) has accomplished more to advance textbook affordability statewide than we could have operating as independent institutions with no or little knowledge of what was going on elsewhere. A statewide effort created the opportunity for librarians and faculty to learn from each other. The team that started ALPA recognized that while some colleges and universities had the resources to initiate these kinds of programs, many others did not. They may have lacked the necessary staffing, know-how or other resources to get an initiative started on their own campus. ALPA was designed to spread expertise and level the playing field. Through professional development programs and an annual summit, ALPA kickstarted statewide cooperative information sharing and programming. I’m proud of my participation in ALPA’s leadership team, but I see there’s still much work to do in Pennsylvania. We lag behind other states when it comes to the provision of dedicated, sustainable funding and administrative support for affordable learning materials. We have proven in the past that even with a small amount of funding for zero-cost learning materials, academic librarians can have a significant impact on student academic success. ALPA’s mission is to continue the work of creating awareness, educating librarians and faculty, leveraging student support and obtaining sustainable funding for affordable learning.
Associate University Librarian, Steven Bell.
EL: How do you feel about your role in transforming the student experience at Temple?
SB: One of the things we’ve prioritized at Temple Libraries is the adoption of a user experience mindset. When I first arrived at Temple, at that time in academic librarianship more broadly, one of our profession’s failings is that we too frequently made decisions based on what we, the librarians, thought was best for the patron or user. In other industries, whether it was hospitality, food service, or retail, there was a mindset change to focus on the user and what their needs and expectations were – instead of what the organization assumed they needed or wanted – and then intentionally design an experience to meet or exceed those expectations. With support from our dean at the time, I initiated professional development, primarily for our public service staff members, aimed at shifting our mindset away from being staff-centered and towards adopting user-centered service design techniques. Over time, that mindset was more widely adopted in our library. For example, we eventually added a user experience librarian to focus on ascertaining how to deliver the best possible library service experience – and to assess how well we are or are not accomplishing it. I observed our library culture shifting from being transaction focused to one that is more thoughtful about building relationships with our faculty, students, and community members. It’s hard to accomplish when you have a campus of thousands of students, faculty, and researchers. Unfortunately, we lack the ability to scale up this work to build relationships with all of them. I do feel we’ve achieved a transformative user experience culture shift over time. It has contributed to the growth of a community where people are loyal to the library, where they have a memorable library experience, and they want to tell other people about it. They see the library as a destination for themselves and see there’s value in the experience that library staff design and deliver whether it’s onsite or online. Of course, being able to offer the Charles Library experience absolutely makes a difference.
EL: Do you think the construction of Charles and the project of building a 21st century library inspired you to stay at Temple?
SB: One of the reasons I originally came to Temple back in 2007 is because it sounded like an exciting time to join the team. They were already talking about renovating the Paley Library and that was going to be a significant project, At the time I thought that it would be a great experience to be involved in re-imagining library facilities for the university. Over time the concept shifted from a Paley renovation to an entirely new 21st century library building. It ended up taking another six years for the planning process to begin in 2013 – and Charles finally opened in 2019. Quite a wait but well worth it.
I came to a point in my career where it made sense to stay where I was continuing to build on my prior career accomplishments. We had a great opportunity to provide a laboratory for 21st century library services. There were constraints of one sort or another, but those limits on our resources forced us to be creative in how we think about the design and implementation of new library services.
One other thing I’d say about my experience at Temple Libraries with respect to the Charles Library that we obviously could not have imagined was the pandemic period. That happened just one year into our Charles Library experience, and it really did shake things up. It was super challenging to try to provide library services with no access to the library building for six months. It was also an interesting period for us in academic libraries in general, because we had to rethink how do we provide services when you can’t have people come to the physical library. I think we learned a lot from that about our capacity to offer access to information, educational support, instruction activity, and consultations. We really were able to leverage online technology and tools in a way that enabled us to continue to support our community, even when we didn’t have access to our physical library. It made us appreciate Charles Library’s physical space a lot more. It helped us to move forward as a library organization with a real sense of how to leverage remote technology to deliver the services. It really did change the nature of how we do our work, and how we leverage Charles as staff space. Is Charles Library why I stayed here for 18 years? Not entirely. There’s much more to what we do at Temple Libraries beyond space as a service. I certainly did want to see and experience how the facility and everything it offers would impact our community over time. I’ll continue to follow its trajectory.
EL: What do you think has been the biggest change that you’ve witnessed in librarianship?
SB: Too many to choose just one that’s the biggest of all. One of the truly big changes that has empowered library organizations to be better is the increased collaboration with organizations outside of the library. One thing we’ve done well at Temple is finding partners on the academic and disciplinary side, as well as in student services. In our relationship with colleagues in teaching and learning centers, writing centers, tutoring, advising, and even student life, academic librarians have realized you can’t provide great library services without being a great partner and finding colleagues who want to support the kind of work you’re doing and encourage it. Charles Library has certainly been incredibly popular for hosting meeting spaces and other organizations within the library – and that’s helped us build connections with partners across campus and in the broader community.
When I think of big change, technology is right near the top of the list. It’s led to enormous and significant changes in the way we work and the kinds of things that we’re able to do. One thing I thought was exciting about Charles Library and that I’ve written about is how we went into it with a mobile first mindset. What makes Charles different from academic libraries completed in the same period is that there are not loads and loads of desktop computers for students. We didn’t invest in the wiring, electrical and data infrastructure that would require; it’s designed for people who are using wireless devices. At Charles you can be anywhere in the library doing whatever it is you need to do and have access to wireless and battery power without needing a data jack or electrical outlet. With our mobile-first technology vision, we eliminated the need to constantly be wired to the network and power supply. It’s in the DNA of our operation to leverage new technologies, whether there are things that work with your browser or other kinds of plugins or extensions or technologies to enhance accessibility. Understanding and harnessing AI in productive ways is our new technology frontier.
The other big change that comes to mind is something worth mentioning again – our focus on relationship building. Those basic library transactions, be it accessing library study rooms or book borrowing, will always be important. Beyond that, we value building relationships with our Temple University community members. Those one-on-one, deeper interactions occur less often, by far, in the grand scheme of transactions of all types. But when you consider the degree of impact on users, on their ability to enable students and researchers to succeed, they are far more significant.
Associate University Librarian, Steven Bell, teaching a course in the 1st Floor Event Space.
EL: What do you think made your 48 years as a librarian successful? What was the driving factor for you?
SB: It was always about wanting to help people. To my way of thinking, this is a helping profession. We help them learn how to do research, expand and sharpen their information discovery skills, and critically evaluate the information to which they are exposed. Over my 48 years, the amount of information, both fact and fallacy, has exploded beyond our wildest expectations. The ways in which librarians help are now more essential than any past time in my professional career.
When I started off, information was very scarce, and librarians were the go-to experts for finding and retrieving information. That activity is now much more democratized and widely accessible, which is a great thing! It used to be that just the act of searching a computer database of citations or data required an appointment with the librarian. Now our students, faculty and researchers can do this endlessly in their own time. So, the work has shifted from helping people with information discovery to assisting them to tailor their research in a way that supports good research and writing. That’s been a big change in over 48 years. What hasn’t changed is that this remains a help-based profession where we connect people with whatever it is that they need to achieve success on their terms. The reward for me is working with those who are struggling with research, exposing them to the tools and techniques they need to succeed, and then watching them be successful. What I have also enjoyed over those years was discovering myself as a researcher, author, columnist, and presenter. I like to think of myself as a student of higher education and exploring how it works and the ways in which it expands our potential has been a continuous source of inspiration for me.
EL: What’s your advice for current or aspiring librarians?
SB: What I’ve also been proud of throughout my career is serving as a library and information science instructor for graduate library science education programs at Drexel and San Jose State Universities. I’ve had the honor and privilege of teaching hundreds of aspiring librarians about different subjects such as online database research, business research, academic librarianship, and more recently, open education. What I’ve always told the students is: ‘Find out what’s going on in libraries. You need to go beyond the classroom to learn librarianship. Don’t be afraid to ask librarians questions about their work.’ I rarely have ever come across a librarian who is reluctant to discuss their work with a curious library student. I encourage current and aspiring librarians to talk about their work and what it is about it that excites, inspires, or even frustrates them. To my way of thinking that’s how you develop your passion for the profession.
There’s so much exciting work being done, whether it’s in public libraries or academic libraries. I just recently talked to an aspiring librarian, a relative of a Temple colleague, who wasn’t sure about committing to obtaining their master’s degree. We ended up having a great conversation about what is happening in the profession and where future opportunities lie. When you start to dig under the surface a bit and explore librarianship as more than just books and information, focusing instead on connecting with people, building relationships, becoming an expert in information discovery tools and techniques, that gets people excited about their professional prospects. Those who are less familiar with contemporary librarianship may not realize how our work contributes to a society that supports and enables those who are less privileged to gain access to computers and information technology. That aspect of our work is attracting all types of new people to this profession.
Another accomplishment I’m proud of in my time at Temple Libraries is our ongoing commitment to provide computers, internet access and technology education to the public. That’s become a critical part of our work, a way we support the University’s mission and a vehicle for connecting Charles Library with our community neighbors.
EL: Is there anything else that you would like to share with the readers?
SB: I’m a product of Temple University myself. My Temple education gave me the foundational skills I needed to succeed in librarianship. It felt good to come back as an employee to help others achieve their career and life aspirations – like I did. I’ve immensely enjoyed my time at Temple Libraries. I’m proud of the many, many accomplishments that resulted from working together with internal and external colleagues and constituents. I will miss being a part of what lies ahead for the Libraries but will always appreciate having had the opportunity to play a role in laying the foundation for future achievements. I hope the readers will be a part of that story through their support for and engagement with Temple Libraries. I know I will.
Open Education Week 2025 concluded successfully, featuring a series of engaging workshops focused on promoting open education and affordable course materials. Temple’s week-long celebration ran from March 10-14 and offered participants valuable insights into various aspects of open educational resources (OER) and practices.
This year we offered students a “mad lib” style postcard that allowed them to thank a professor for using low or zero-cost course materials as well as a “Support Zero Textbook Costs” sticker. We also tried something completely new! We interviewed students about their textbook experiences at Temple University. The students shared frustrations with buying books that they didn’t end up using and how they have budgeted for upcoming semester textbook costs, and more. To hear what they had to say watch the video below:
The Libraries hosted several workshops throughout the week to highlight distinct aspects of open education. Keep reading for workshop highlights:
Tuesday, March 11: Faculty members gained strategies for promoting their open scholarship, including building scholarly profiles and displaying work on social media, in the “How to Promote Your Open Scholarship” workshop.
Wednesday, March 12: The “Copyright and Creative Commons” workshop provided essential information on Creative Commons licenses, their usage, and how to license original work.
Thursday, March 13: Participants explored innovative approaches to information literacy assignments in the “Transform Your Information Literacy Assignments with Open Educational Practices” session, focusing on renewable assignments and active student engagement in knowledge creation.
Attendees of Open Ed Week workshops were entered into a drawing for a chance to win a library swag bag, with multiple registrations increasing the chances of winning. Professor Amy Bieda of the College of Public Health won our raffle!
These workshops highlighted the growing importance of OER and zero-cost course materials in higher education, aligning with broader initiatives to make education more accessible and affordable. As institutions continue to embrace open education, events like these play a crucial role in equipping educators with the knowledge and tools to implement OER effectively in their courses. You can join us again next year and stay updated throughout the year by joining our mailing list!
Display Wall located on the First Floor of Charles Library.
By: Ella Lathan
You may have already caught a glimpse of our latest innovation: a cutting-edge Display Wall now on our First Floor and on the Third Floor in our VR Lab. This exciting new feature has enabled us to craft fresh, engaging content tailored just for you.
Take a moment to explore each floor of the library and uncover the wealth of resources and experiences we have in store. As you dive into our offerings, be sure to check out a sneak peek of our innovative Book Bot below.
The video series Welcome to Charles allows you to discover all that Temple Libraries has to offer. Explore each floor, and don’t be afraid to be curious and ask questions!
Guest. Post by Will Dean, Health Science Campus Librarian
As an eventful February ends, we look back on another fun week(s) of programming for Love Data Week 2025. This year’s offerings covered innovative technologies, how data is collected and used across disciplines, current issues, and useful skills.
If you want to take a look at the recordings for these events, check out our 2025 Love Data Week guide!
Innovative Tech
Dylan Ruediger, senior program manager at Ithaka S+R.
Everyone is talking about AI these days, and the library is a great place to learn about how this evolving technology is changing our world, We welcomed Ithaka S+R’s Dylan Ruediger, who presented on their research into how faculty are using generative AI in teaching and research. Adoption of generative AI tools has varied widely between different disciplines, depending on the application. Following Dylan’s presentation, a lively discussion delved into the way libraries can help lead the conversation about AI, pitfalls of the current technologies available, and what potential future uses (or misuses) of this emerging technology.
This program was cosponsored by the Academic Assembly of Librarians Continuing Education Committee and the Research Data Services Strategic Steering Team, as part of Love Data Week.
If you’re interested in diving into the wealth of demographic data available at Temple Libraries’ databases, this workshop is for you. GIS specialist Felipe Valdez explored the census-derived data at IPUMS and reviewed the basics of the powerful data analysis and visualization tools available in R.
Data in different disciplines
Introduction to policy surveillance to create scientific legal data graphic.
These two events highlighted how data is used across different disciplines to advance knowledge and discover hidden trends.
Tracking local laws in a country as large as the United States is a challenge. At our Policy Surveillance workshop experts from the Center for Public Health Law Research in the Beasley School of Law, showed attendees how scientific legal mapping methods and applications, like their own software, can illuminate how public health laws are changing across the US.
Dr. Khadijah A. Mitchell (Fox Chase Cancer Center-Temple Health).
At our All Means All event, Dr. Khadijah A. Mitchell (Fox Chase Cancer Center-Temple Health) discussed her research project using the All of Us dataset to study lung cancer genetic markers in diverse populations, and demonstrated how to use the All of Us dashboards. The All of Us dataset is a NIH-funded resource that collects patient information to reflect the enormous diversity of the United States in order to improve health equity, advance precision medicine, and address issues with a ‘one size fits all’ approach to health sciences research.
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. Experts from the Office of the Vice President for Research, Information Technology Services, and the Institutional Review Board led a varied discussion on security and privacy issues, both data-related and beyond, for current researchers.
Check out our other event recordings, including workshops on data visualization, FOIA and right-to-know requests, data tools available at Temple, and statistical analysis at the 2025 Love Data Week guide. Join us next year!
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.
Dylan Ruediger, senior program manager at Ithaka S+R.
This presentation will share findings from three major research projects conducted by Ithaka and their university partners in 2024, providing a detailed landscape perspective on how faculty are using generative AI in teaching and research. It will be presented by Dylan Ruediger of Ithaka S+R.
Research and Data Services Librarian Will Dean will show you how to take a humble dataset and present it in a variety of colorful, informative, and interactive visualizations. We will explore the features of the software programs Tableau (register for a free student or teacher account: https://www.tableau.com/community/academic) and Excel. Participants are encouraged to bring a dataset they are working on or ideas for visualization projects.
T Learn how to access and analyze IPUMS datasets, including U.S. Census and international surveys, using R and PositCloud. We’ll guide you through the basics of importing, exploring, and mapping this rich data—no prior coding experience required. Whether you’re a researcher, student, or simply curious about demographic trends, this session will give you the tools to transform data into meaningful maps and insights. Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your data visualization skills!
Introduction to policy surveillance to create scientific legal data graphic.
This training, provided by experts at the Center for Public Health Law Research in the Beasley School of Law, provides a broad overview of scientific legal mapping methods and applications. Attendees will learn the differences between scientific legal mapping techniques (e.g., policy surveillance, legal assessments), the steps of the policy surveillance process, and uses for the legal data the process produces.
In this workshop you will discover how geocoding transforms street addresses into precise coordinates that bring your story to life. But the real magic happens in the second half of the workshop, where you will engage in hands-on map-making, using a dataset provided by the hosts. By the end of the session, you will walk away with your own customized story map and the skills to keep exploring possibilities of storytelling with maps. Join us for a fun and creative experience where Story Maps will become your new favorite way to share your research, travels, or any story you want to tell.
Did you know you have a right to access public records that may contain data and information for your project? This workshop 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.
Dr. Khadijah A. Mitchell (Fox Chase Cancer Center-Temple Health).
Dr. Khadijah A. Mitchell (Fox Chase Cancer Center-Temple Health) will discuss her research project using the All of Us dataset to study lung cancer genetic markers in diverse population, and demonstrate how to use the All of Us dashboards. All of Us is a NIH project to build a dataset of patient information that reflects the diversity of the USA to improve health equity, advance precision medicine, and address issues with a ‘one size fits all’ approach to health sciences research.
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 experts from across Temple at this panel discussion event 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!
Do you collect data in your research or classwork? This workshop will teach you about some of the data tools available to you at Temple. There are tools to help you with writing a data management plan, organizing your research project, collecting your data, analyzing your data, sharing and preserving your data, and more.
Are you new to clinical research and want to know what kind of analysis you should perform in your research project? Need a refresher before you start analyzing your data? Join Dr. Daohai Yu of the Department of Biomedical Education and Data Science for a workshop covering the basic statistical skills you need for clinical research. No statistical experience is necessary, and this event is open to all skill levels.
