Why Librarianship?: An Exploration of the Motivations of Ethnic Minorities to Choose Library and Information Science as a Career

The purpose of this dissertation is to contribute to the understanding of the motivations of ethnic minorities to choose library and information science (LIS) as a career. Increasing the presence of librarians of color may help to improve diversity within LIS. The central questions explored here can be divided into two parts: (1) Why do ethnic minorities choose librarianship as a profession? (2) What would motivate members of minority groups to join a profession in which they cannot see themselves?

The research was conducted through semi-structured, qualitative interviews of 33 ethnic minority students from one of four ethnic minority groups. Eleven themes emerged from the data: Libraries, Librarians, Library Work Experience, LIS Graduate Program, Career Plans and Goals, Education and Family, Support, Mentors, Ethnicity and Community, Acculturation, and Views of Diversity.

The findings seem to support many assumptions regarding ethnic minority recruitment in LIS. The most noteworthy findings were those that centered on identity, acculturation and diversity because they dealt issues that are not often considered or discussed by many in the profession outside of ethnic minority organizations.