Where are all the Librarians of Color? The Experiences of People of Color in Academia

Rebecca Hankins

ISBN 10: 1936117835 / ISBN 13: 9781936117833

Published by Litwin Books, LLC, US, 2016

About this Item

Seller Inventory # LU-9781936117833

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Where are all the Librarians of Color? The Experiences of People of Color in Academia
• Publisher: Litwin Books, LLC, US
• Publication Date: 2016
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1936117835
• ISBN 13: 9781936117833
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: New
• Dimensions: 15.24W x 2.01H x 22.86D centimeters 15.24 centimeters width by 2.01 centimeters height by 22.86 centimeters depth
• Weight: 517 grams

About this title

Synopsis

This book offers a comprehensive look at the experiences of people of color after the recruitment is over, the diversity box is checked, and the statistics are reported. What are the retention, job satisfaction, and tenure experiences of librarians of color? The authors look at the history of librarians of color in academia, review of the literature, obstacles, roles, leadership, and the tenure process for those that endure. What are the recruitment and retention methods employed to create a diverse workforce, successes and failures? Finally what are some mentoring strategies that work to make the library environment less exploitative and toxic for librarians of color?

Reviews

This collection features articles and case studies that address the innumerable issues and challenges faced by people of color working in libraries, both those consciously and subconsciously perpetuated, with a specific focus on minorities—or more significantly, the lack of minorities—in tenure-track positions in academic libraries. Hankins (librarian, Texas A&M Univ.) and Juárez (PhD candidate, Univ. Texas at El Paso) bring together essays that address the historical trends of minority employment before delving into what's being done and what more can be done to address the issue. Chapters offer advice and recommendations along with a critique of programs that are already in place, such as initiatives and grants to attract minorities to MLIS programs, diversity residency programs, and recruitment techniques. The discussion even extends to invaluable mentoring and thoughtful support programs that are continuously shown to increase retention rates of minorities. One essay asks, "Are we there yet?" Though progress has been made, the answer is clearly, no. VERDICT Catering to academic libraries, this work will prove to be beneficial for everyone from current students to administrators. Other disciplines and library types could also benefit, as while the specific programs discussed are not universal, the theories are.—Zebulin Evelhoch, Central Washington University Library