DIVERSITY IN LIBRARIANSHIPLauren Smith

LI802

What is Diversity?

The differences and uniqueness separating one person or thing from another.

Dissimilarity and variety. A variety of people working together as a whole and not letting differences divide them.

A celebration of individuality!

WHAT ARE THE WAYS IN WHICH PEOPLE CAN BE DIVERSE/DIFFERENT FROM ONE ANOTHER?

Diversity Quiz

1. By 2050 U.S. Census projections indicate that the four ethnic minority groups will represent nearly 50% of the population.

2. Librarians of color represent 12% of the academic and public librarian population.

3. Hispanics are the most underrepresented ethnic group among librarians.

4. From 1990 to 2000, the Asian/Pacific Islanders population increased by 60.9%. This population represents 3.5% of library professionals.

Diversity Quiz (Continued)

5. African Americans are about 6% of the graduate-degree holders and librarians.

6. Ethnic minorities represent 31.3% of the U.S. population and only 11.3% of the Library Information Science (LIS) population.

Increasing Diversity in Librarianship-Start with Schools-

Improve the recruitment and retention of students of color, and ultimately contribute to the ethnic/culture diversity in Librarianship.

If this does not happen, the librarian population will not reflect the users in the community that they serve.

Efforts to Improve Diversity in LIS Programs and Librarianship

Diversity

1997 – ALA Created

Spectrum Initiative which

provides scholarships,

mentoring, and training programs

for minority librarians.

ARL – Initiative to Create a

Diverse Workforce and Leadership and

Career Development

Programs.Many LIS Schools

have created recruitment programs,

residencies, internships and

fellowship programs as well

as offering scholarships.

Other Efforts to Increase Diversity Include:

Financial Aid for LIS Education Diversity in Faculty/Librarians Role Models/Mentoring Creative Delivery of Classes (Distance

Education and Flexible Class Times) Awareness/Sensitivity to Diversity and

Antiracism Diversity in curriculum Internships, Fieldwork, or Practicum

experiences working with Ethnic Minority communities.

Benefits of Diversity in Librarianship

Authority figures look like patrons Increase in user comfort and ease in

communication Provides a sense of belonging and

membership More effective reference due to a better

understanding of cultural values, languages and information needs

Many studies suggest that there is a correlation between the level of diversity and organizational performance.

More opportunities to experience, learn and understand one another.

How to Increase Diversity in Libraries

Top Library Administrator must be committed

Libraries must be open, culturally diverse organizations rather than closed and elitist

A Diversity Planning Committee should be created to develop a multicultural climate and help bring new people onto the staff

The Library should have a collection and resources to support diversity, including materials in other languages

Library staff should be multi-cultural and multilingual. They should “mirror” the communities that they serve

Problems on the Path to Diversity/Multiculturalism in Librarianship

Sole minority staff members may endure demands on their time, which other faculty members may not face. This could also take away time that could be spent for their personal career growth.

May be singled out as a representative of the race/ethnicity they belong to. This could lead to feel more like a “symbol” or representative rather than an individual.

Minority members may conceal emotions so as not to enact negative stereotypes.

Some libraries may promote diversity only in response to requirements imposed on them, rather than as a commitment to diversity as a social responsibility.

References

Kyung-Sun Kim, Sei-Chung Joanna Sin. (2008). Increasing Ethnic Diversity in LIS: Strategies Suggested by Librarians of Color. The Library Quarterly, 78(2), 153-177.

Neely, Teresa & Peterson, Lorna. (2007). Achieving Racial and Ethnic Diversity Among Academic and Research Librarians: The Recruitment, Retention, and Advancement of Librarians of Color – A White Paper. College and Research Library News, 68(9).

Josey, E.J. (2002). Diversity in Libraries. Virginia Libraries, 48(1). Kuzyk, Raya. (2008). I [Heart] Librarianship. Library Journal, 133(4). Lance, Keith. (2005). Racial and Ethnic Diversity of U.S. Library Workers.

American Libraries, 36 (5). Edwards, Eli & Fisher, William. (2003). Trust, Teamwork, and Tokenism:

Another Perspective on Diversity in Libraries. Library Administration and Management, 17(1).

Bonnette, Ashley. (2004). Mentoring Minority Librarians up the Career Ladder. Library Administration and Management, 18(3).

Adrianopoli, Barbara. (2007). Reasons for Hiring a Diverse Staff. Illinois Library Association Reporter, 25(5).