How Is Your Library Opening Doors for the Next Generation of Librarians?

In library and information science programs the main message students receive is that libraries are all about inclusion, equity, diversity and access (SJSU MLIS Skills at Work, 2022 p7). However, many students find closed doors and a demand for years of unpaid labor for even a chance at a low level position based on strict adherence to perceived rules and vocational awe (Fobazi, 2018). How is your library working to open doors, and make librarianship accessible to all talented people, especially for marginalized communities and those from non-library industries? As two women of privilege attempting to break into this industry, it is apparent that there is a discrepancy between the foundational principles libraries claim and actual organizational practices. To have sustainability, libraries need to: (1) proactively embrace a diverse population in the next generation which means re-evaluating current entry level requirements in initial screenings; (2) the creation of fully funded librarianship/mentor trainee programs for people from other industries; (3) and a reevaluation of employment outreach procedures to reach a more diverse workforce. To remain sustainable we must recognize that libraries are changing. They are now a fast-paced ever evolving environment that requires a set of customer service conflict resolution skills to tackle these new challenges. Pooling from a diverse workforce best meets these new challenges while aligning with libraries’ ethical DEI standards.