Ask a Retired Librarian: Steven Bell Reflects on His Time at Temple

Associate University Librarian, Steven Bell.

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. 

Educators Embrace Affordable Learning at Open Education Week 2025  

By: Ella Lathan

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:  

Monday, March 10: The week kicked off with a session on “Making Courses Affordable with Zero-Cost Course Materials,” where attendees learned about locating OER and library resources to reduce textbook costs for students. 

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.  

Friday, March 14: The week concluded with an information session on the Textbook Affordability Project (TAP), detailing grant opportunities and application processes for interested faculty.  

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

Enhacing Our Display Wall: Exciting New Visuals

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!

First Floor:

Second Floor:

Third Floor:

Fourth Floor:

A Look Inside the Book Bot:

Love Data Week 2025: Data Contain Multitudes  

Love Data Week graphic

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.

The Landscape of Generative AI in Teaching and Research  

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. 

Analyzing Demographic Data with IPUMS and R 

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.

Introduction to Policy Surveillance to Create Scientific Legal Data and All Means All: Using the All of Us dataset to study lung cancer genetic markers in diverse populations 

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. 

Current Issues

Data Privacy and Security: Current Issues for Researchers 

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! 

Temple Libraries Celebrates Love Data Week 2025 

Love Data Week graphic

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.

The Landscape of Generative AI in Teaching and Research  

Thursday February 6 | 2:00 – 3:30 PM  

Charles Library Room 401 / Remote via Zoom  

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.   

Data Viz: Tableau and Excel 

Monday February 10 | 12:00 – 1:00 PM  

Podiatry School, Room 414 / Remote via Zoom  

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.   

Analyzing Demographic Data with IPUMS and R 

Monday, February 10 | 12:00 – 1:00 PM  

Remote via Zoom  

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.

Introduction to Policy Surveillance to Create Scientific Legal Data  

Tuesday, February 11 | 12:00 – 1:00 PM  

Remote via Zoom  

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. 

Storytelling with maps graphic.

Storytelling with Maps  

Wednesday, February 12 | 1:00 – 2:30 PM  

Charles Library Room 210 / Remote via Zoom  

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. 

Data Requests via Federal FOIA and State/Local Right-to-Know Law 

Wednesday, February 12 | 12:00 – 1:00 PM  

Remote via Zoom  

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).

All Means All: Using the All of Us dataset to study lung cancer genetic markers in diverse populations  

Wednesday, February 12 | 3:00 – 4:00 PM  

Remote via Zoom  

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 Privacy and Security: Current Issues for Researchers 

Thursday, February 13 | 10:00 – 11:00 AM  

Remote via Zoom  

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! 

Data Tools 

Thursday, February 13 | 12:00 – 1:00 PM  

Remote via Zoom  

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.   

Statistical Analysis 

Friday, February 14 | 12:00 – 1:00 PM  

Remote via Zoom  

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. 

Spring Spotlight on Qualitative Research 

Spring events on Qualitative Research and Data, by Temple Libraries graphic.

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  

Love Data Week graphic.

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

Love Data Week graphic.

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.  

QualCoder graphic.

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  

Qualitatative Data Respository graphic.

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.  

Welcome to the Spring 2025 Semester at Temple!

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 

  • Special Collections Research Center: Explore our rare and unique archival materials that can enrich your research. 
  • Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection: Delve into an extensive collection that highlights African American history and culture. 
  • Digital Collections: Access a wealth of digital resources available at your fingertips. 

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 

  • Chat: Our 24/7 chat service ensures you’ll always have a knowledgeable librarian at your disposal, no matter when inspiration strikes. 
  • Email: Prefer the written word? Send an email, and your librarian or specialist will respond promptly with insightful guidance. 
  • Appointments: For more 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. 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. 

Self-Paced Tutorials: Enhance your research skills through tutorials available on our website.

User Guides: We offer tailored undergraduate and graduate user guides to kickstart your library journey seamlessly. 

Access Tech!

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

Laptop Lending Program: Borrow laptops for use within the library. 

Print on the Go Service: Easily print documents from any location on campus. 

Charging Stations: Keep your devices powered up while you study. 

Explore Spaces to Study!

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

Study Rooms: Reserve study rooms ahead of time  

Loretta C. Duckworth Scholars Studio: This space features advanced equipment and technology for creative projects. At the Scholars Studio you can find:

  • Tech Sandbox: Experiment with various technologies in an interactive environment.
  • Makerspace: Create and innovate using tools for design and fabrication. 
  • Media Production Studio: Record and edit audio for podcasts or music with professional-grade equipment. The studio is available for reservation from Monday to Friday between 9 AM and 5 PM for students, faculty, and staff. 

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! 

Empowering Libraries: Ghanaian Librarian’s Journey of Discovery at Temple University

Irene with fellow colleagues from Temple Libraries during her last week in December 2024!

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. 

Irene at her farewell party held in December 2024.

Faculty Peers Support Colleagues with Textbook Affordability 

Peer to Peer graphic in a circle design with two figures connected to gear icons.

Guest post by Steven Bell, Associate University Librarian, and Natalie Flynn, Associate Professor of Instruction in Earth and Environment Sciences

Temple University Libraries is partnering with faculty member Natalie Flynn to ignite more faculty engagement in textbook affordability initiatives by recruiting them as peer advisors, creating a vibrant community focused on accessible education materials and resources. 

Temple University Libraries is committed to achieving affordable and equitable access to learning materials for our students. In support of that goal, we engage in multiple initiatives designed to support faculty who seek to lower or eliminate the cost of course materials for their classes. Faculty typically accomplish this by adopting zero-cost materials in lieu of traditional, costly commercial textbooks. Zero-cost content can include sources such as open educational materials, library ebooks, free web content, etc. 

One of our most enduring and successful programs is the Textbook Affordability Project (TAP), an annual invitation to faculty to submit proposals for an award that supports their effort to transition from commercial textbooks and other potentially expensive course materials to those available at no cost to students. Since 2011, approximately 10 faculty members are selected each year to receive this award. Our latest cohort includes 8 faculty representing CLA, Law, CPH, Social Work, CST, CEHD and TUJ. 

Natalie Flynn, Associate Professor of Instruction in Earth and Environment Sciences (EES), is a past TAP participant. Flynn, honored with awards in 2016 and 2018, is dedicated to course materials affordability for Temple students. After learning that a significant number of students in her courses neglected to purchase the textbook, Flynn surveyed students and found that many simply could not afford it and chose to participate without the textbook. That lack of equitable access drove Flynn to work with Temple Libraries, using TAP awards to identify learning materials that would be free and accessible to all students on the first day of class. 

Observing the positive impact this change had for her students’ engagement with the course materials, Flynn began to adopt Open Educational Resources (OER) in her other courses. Flynn has been a pioneering advocate for textbook affordability, strategically eliminating high-cost textbooks from her courses and collaborating with Temple’s North Broad Press to develop two open geology lab manuals. Her efforts extend beyond personal course design, as she actively works to promote zero-cost materials adoption throughout her entire department. In time, more courses in EES transitioned to zero-cost learning materials for students, especially in the GenEd science courses and several courses that appeal to non-Earth Science majors.      

Flynn, a member of Temple University’s Textbook Task Force, came to the group in spring 2024 with an idea to expand what was accomplished in EES across all schools and colleges. That led to the formation of a new initiative, the Faculty Peer-to-Peer OER Advisors. To find and assemble the first cohort of advisors, Flynn reached out to all the prior TAP recipients, those who volunteer to serve as peer advisors are prepared to assist other faculty with textbook affordability strategies. As needed, advisors can also call on Temple Libraries’ subject specialist librarians for additional support and assistance.  

The first group of peer advisors includes: 

Suchen Susan Huang, Gregory Byala, Robb Faunce, Gary Pratt, Tom Wright, Lauren Bullock, Tim Fukawa-Connelly, Bari Dzomba, Jingwei Wu, Graham Dobereiner, Daniele Ramella, Eleni Anni, Julie Drzymalski, Lindsay Weightman, Rani Vasudeva, Michelle, Scarpulla, Sherri Hope Culver, Laura Zaylea, and Alisha Nypaver. 

Peer Advisors can: 

  • Assist faculty with OER 
  • Work with librarians to discover OER 
  • Point their academic colleagues to library licensed resources  
  • Attend department meetings to discuss OER with schools and colleges  

Members of the peer faculty group are supportive of all types of course materials. Since acceptable OER materials are not yet available for all courses, advisors can point their academic colleagues to library-licensed resources such as ebooks and articles and can communicate with librarians about possible purchases. In cases where it is not possible to eliminate all costs for course materials, peer advisors can help decrease these costs by recommending a mix of cost and zero-cost content. 

According to Flynn, the goal is to connect individual faculty, departments and colleges with library specialists who have considerable knowledge of OER. Peer advisors also work with the campus store to ensure students are aware of course material costs to ensure students have accurate information about the cost of course materials at the time of registration. The sense of community built through peer collaboration often leads to increased participation in textbook affordability initiatives, creating a ripple effect that can drive broader adoption and improvement of zero-cost materials across disciplines. 

“The peer advisors met as a group for the first time in November,” Flynn said. “And I was excited by their enthusiasm for this project and their eagerness to start engaging with their colleagues in the spring 2025 semester to create awareness about OER and other no-cost course material options”. 

We asked the advisors why they chose to join and support their fellow faculty in this capacity. Several peer advisors have commented on the cost burden to their students, the inequity of some students doing without learning materials and a strong commitment to quality learning materials. Many of the peer advisors are aware that they and their colleagues would like to explore lowering the cost of learning materials but are unsure of where to start. The peer advisor group is determined to provide the link between the highly trained library specialists and each college and department faculty looking for that support.  

Peer advisors are available to present at faculty meetings on course material affordability issues and strategies, can provide one-on-one consultations, assist with identifying and locating no-cost materials. To be paired with a peer advisor or to learn more about becoming one, contact Natalie Flynn or Steven Bell

Shelf Care: Stress Less Week at Charles Library

Stella the Owl Statue covered in snow.
Stella the Owl covered in snow photo by Joseph V. Labolito

Resources to help you

It’s that point in the semester when research papers are due, exams are approaching, and you’re busy finalizing your projects. We want to remind you that the Libraries offer a wealth of resources to support you in finishing the semester on a high note! 

A good place to start is our website or the library section on the TU Mobile App, where you can use Library Search for all your questions. You can also see our hours (including extended hours) for all library locations. Or you can go directly to our undergraduate and graduate user guides containing details of library resources tailored for you! 

Therapy dogs in Charles Library, therapy dog in foreground, students in background petting the dog.
Therapy dogs in Charles Library, photo by Betsy Manning

Ways to Destress

We are hosting a few opportunities for you to take a break from the busyness of this time of year that we hope you’ll take advantage of!  

On Wednesday, December 4, from 2 to 3:30 PM stop by the Makerspace for our Holiday Décor Workshop. Make gifts and décor for the holidays with help from staff on the laser cutter and 3D printers. Some ideas include 3D-printed trinkets, custom greeting cards, 3D-printed cookie cutters, laser-cut ornaments, and more.  

Or join fellow peers on Wednesday, December 11, from 2 to 3:30 PM for an Open Craft Day. Come and create with community and destress from final projects and exams.  

Calling all gamers…digital and board! On December 11 starting at 11 AM and wrapping up around 1 PM, we’ll have our Virtual Reality Lab open and ready for video gaming on the consoles and PC, as well as some tables set aside for playing board games. Bring your study group for a much-needed break or play some library staff and fellow students. You can see some of the games we have available to play and check out in the library’s online catalog. 

On Friday December 13 from 12 to 3:30 PM Charles Library will be hosting therapy dogs in the 1st Floor Event Space. Spend time petting, cuddling, and interacting with these gentle companions, who are here to provide comfort and support during this hectic season. Whether you’re looking for a brief escape from studying or a calming presence these furry friends are ready to lend a paw. No registration required.  

24/7 Live Online Chat 

Want to get online help right now…anytime on any day? You can contact us 24/7 via chat to get answers to your questions. 

Find Your Study Space

Both Charles Library and Ginsburg Library have rooms that you can book for those times when you need a quiet space to study.  

Snacks from last year’s snack cart photo by Temple Libraries

Snack cart 

During the week of December 9, be on the lookout for the snack cart at Charles Library. We’ll be giving out free goodies to help you stay fueled and focused. We will also be available to answer questions and point you in the right direction regarding library resources.  

Wellness Resource Center 

Our friends at the Wellness Resource Center have several offerings to help you through this time of the semester. You can get details on their various activities planned for the week of December 9. Be sure to also look into other campus resources designed to help students de-stress and take preventive measures to avoid end-of-the-semester burnout.  

You can do this! 

We know this time of year can be difficult. We hope this roundup of library assistance gives you some relief. And if not, just know that soon you’ll be heading into your well-deserved winter break. Even then, the Libraries will be here for you during break and when we return for the spring.