Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Librarian Residency Programs: A Vital Solution For Increasing Representation In Academic Libraries, Aisha Johnson Phd, Alexandra Brinson, Kayleah Brown, Karen Manning, Estella Richardson

Georgia Library Quarterly

According to ALA’s 2017 demographic study, the profession is nearly completely White while society consists of a variety of cultures and communities. The lack of representation is a matter of exposure, strategic and diverse recruitment, and retention of professionals of color as well as those belonging to marginalized communities. Recruitment and retention are key, but we must recognize that retention is successful when focused on a person's development through mentoring, coaching, and other targeted measures like residency programs. This paper discusses the benefits of residency and fellowship programs as a retention tool when implemented with intention and authenticity.