Moving the Needle: An Examination of Diversity in LIS in Three Acts

Abstract

Purpose

This chapter argues that despite efforts to increase the diversity of the library and information science profession, little has changed in the last four decades.

Methodology/approach

This chapter presents historical and current data on diversity within the profession and examples of initiatives to improve diversity in schools of library and information science.

Findings

The chapter explores the ways in which the racial climate of the profession has impacted all of these efforts to improve diversity in the field.

Citation

Gollop, C.J. and Hughes-Hassell, S. (2016), "Moving the Needle: An Examination of Diversity in LIS in Three Acts", Celebrating the James Partridge Award: Essays Toward the Development of a More Diverse, Inclusive, and Equitable Field of Library and Information Science (Advances in Librarianship, Vol. 42), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 43-58. https://doi.org/10.1108/S0065-283020160000042005