A University of Washington Information School research team, led by Dr. Hala Annabi, is conducting a two-year research project that aims to improve the capacity of libraries to recruit, onboard, retain, and advance neurodivergent librarians, who currently face barriers to inclusion in library workplaces.
The goal of our research project is to build libraries’ capacity, at the team level, to improve employment outcomes of neurodivergent librarians. This project will distribute responsibility for change across the team, rather than burdening neurodivergent library employees. Research activities will include interviews with neurodivergent librarians, library supervisors, and peer employees; conducting a nation-wide survey of neurodivergent librarians and neurotypical library supervisors and employees; creating a curricular module using participatory design; and delivering and assessing the module through workshops at ALA and three MLIS programs.
We will build the capacity of libraries to create workplaces that are inclusive and empowering of neurodivergent workers through the development of training and a toolkit for use in libraries and MLIS programs across the U.S. to prepare inclusive future librarians and improve overall neurodiversity inclusion and empowerment in the library profession nationwide. Project results and outcomes will be shared at library conferences and in publications and will be made publicly available online.