School of Information faculty member, Dr. Alicia K. Long and University of Missouri-Columbia's Dr. Denice Adkins, have published a new article featured in The International Journal of Information, Diversity, & Inclusion. This article will discuss the lack of diversity in the library and information science (LIS) field as a historical problem in a profession that strives to provide access to information for all. Many librarians of Latin American heritage are and have been members and/or leaders of the American Library Association (ALA). Some of them are also members of and participate actively in the National Association to Promote Library & Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish Speaking (REFORMA). The purpose of this case study is to understand how librarians of Latin American heritage (LLAH) experience a sense of belonging within librarianship based on their dual identity as REFORMA and ALA members. Through semi-structured interviews with eight LLAH who are members of and leaders in ALA and REFORMA and analysis of documents from both associations, we identified three main themes. LLAH are a diverse group, intersectional, from different ethnicities and cultural backgrounds with the common goal of serving Latino communities. In REFORMA, these diverse professionals balance their individual and social identities to find a community and a support system that helps the sense of belonging in a predominantly White profession. Findings from this study have implications for professional associations and their leaders who wish to make librarians who are Latine feel that they belong in LIS.
Read the full article here.