Creating Diverse Pathways to Librarianship and Leadership

Are you passionate about advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging (DEIAB) in your library? Attendees will leave this session with a strong understanding of the current state of DEIAB in libraries across the nation, the unique barriers individuals from historically underrepresented backgrounds face while pursuing roles as librarians and leaders, and tools to successfully incorporate career advancement and leadership development opportunities into their organizations, regardless of size, type, and funding.

January 2023 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that 86% of American librarians and media specialists are white, and the majority are women. In response to the long-standing lack of diversity in the library and information science field, Brooklyn Public Library implemented the Pathways to Leadership scholarship program to increase the percentage of librarians from historically underrepresented backgrounds and prepare them to serve dynamic and diverse communities.

In this session, we invite you to hear scholars reflect on their experiences and learn from Pathways administrators about opportunities to provide thoughtful, structural support for future librarians and leaders.