According to the 2017 ALA Demographic Study, only 13% of member librarians self-identify as people of color. After 20 years and many initiatives to improve racial diversity to reflect the communities we serve, the number of credentialed librarians of color has seen minimal changes. Troubling as this is, one issue that has not been examined is minority student awareness of librarianship. Are undergraduate students of color aware of LIS degree and career opportunities? Are these students less aware than their peer group? This presentation will share some relevant issues and preliminary findings of a study that explores the awareness of undergraduate students of color regarding LIS degrees and career options. The hope is that these findings will illuminate ways to increase awareness of LIS degree programs and relevant career paths for undergraduate students of color. Session participants will reflect on these findings and discuss how we can lead the profession to engage future librarians from diverse backgrounds.
