So You Want To Be A Librarian?: Diversity & Inclusion

Maintained by ALA's Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services (ODLOS).

Several of the key constituencies for creating a diverse workforce are significantly underrepresented in the profession. According to the 2012 “Diversity Counts” report, ethnic minorities account for just over 12% of the total population of credentialed librarians. Individuals who identify as having a disability account for less than 4% of the total population of credentialed librarians.

Among the most common recruitment challenges which institutions face are interview methods that fail to demonstrate a commitment to diversity, poor access to networks of diverse professionals, and hiring processes which do not allow for adequate time to develop diverse candidate pools.

MLA Scholarship for Minority Students: Scholarship for minority student enrolled in or entering an American Library Association (ALA) –accredited library school.

MLA/NLM Spectrum Scholarship: MLA and the National Library of Medicine jointly support two ALA Spectrum Scholars to assist minority individuals interested in obtaining a graduate degree and leadership positions in the profession. The Spectrum Scholarship Program is administered through the ALA Office for Diversity.

Serves as an advocate for the development, promotion, and improvement of library services and resources to the nation’s African American community; and provides leadership for the recruitment and professional development of African American librarians.

The Joint Council of Librarians of Color (JCLC, Inc.) formed in June, 2015 as a nonprofit organization that advocates for and addresses the common needs of the American Library Association ethnic affiliates.

An affiliate of the American Library Association (ALA), the American Indian Library Association is a membership action group that addresses the library-related needs of American Indians and Alaska Natives. Members are individuals and institutions interested in the development of programs to improve Indian library, cultural, and informational services in school, public, and research libraries on reservations. AILA is also committed to disseminating information about Indian cultures, languages, values, and information needs to the library community. AILA cosponsors an annual conference and holds a yearly business meeting in conjunction with the American Library Association annual meeting. It publishes the American Indian Libraries Newsletter twice a year.

Serves as an advocate for the development, promotion, and improvement of library services and resources to the nation’s African American community; and provides leadership for the recruitment and professional development of African American librarians.

Dedicated to enhancing leadership opportunities through informed dialogue that addresses the needs of Asian/Pacific American librarians and those who serve APA communities

Promotes better communication among Chinese American librarians; serves as a forum for the discussion of mutual problems and professional concerns among Chinese American librarians; and promotes the development of Chinese and American librarianship with scholarships and grants.

Promote the development of library collections to include Spanish-language and Latino oriented materials; the recruitment of more bilingual and bicultural library professionals and support staff; the development of library services and programs that meet the needs of the Latino community; the establishment of a national information and support network among individuals who share our goals; the education of the U.S. Latino population in regards to the availability and types of library services; and lobbying efforts to preserve existing library resource centers serving the interests of Latinos.

Committed to serving the information needs of the GLBT professional library community, and the GLBT information and access needs of individuals at large.  We are committed to encouraging and supporting the free and necessary access to all information, as reflected by the missions of the American Library Association.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion are fundamental values of the association and its members, and diversity is listed as one of ALA's Key Action Areas. The Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services uses a social justice framework to ensure the inclusion of diverse perspectives within our profession and association to best position ALA as a trusted, leading advocate for equitable access to library services for all.