Diversity Counts
In October 2006, the American Library Association (ALA) released Diversity Counts, a comprehensive study of gender, race and age in the library profession. Using 1990 and 2000 Census data (the most current available), the study found that the nearly 110,000 credentialed librarians were predominantly ages 45 - 54, female and white. The number of racial and ethnic minorities receiving accredited library master's degrees (MLIS) grew 4 percent, up to about 13 percent in 2000 from 9 percent in 1990.
"This study is a first step in providing a benchmark for initiatives currently underway and a road map for work still ahead of us," said ALA Executive Director Keith Michael Fiels. "The 2000 data does not reflect national recruitment efforts initiated by the ALA and others beginning in the late 1990s." The research provides the ALA with a reliable estimate of employment and will influence future recruitment efforts, Fiels said.
- Diversity Counts Report - Revised January 2007
Compiled 2006 by Denise M. Davis, Director, Office for Research & Statistics and Tracie Hall, Director, Office for Diversity - Diversity Counts Presentation Slides - Revised August 2007
- Diversity Counts Press Release - October 12, 2006
- ACS 2001-2005 Analysis (Tordella, June 2007)
- Diversity Profile 2000 and 1990 (Decision Demographics)
- Additional Resources for Making Diversity Count
Diversity Counts was conducted by the ALA Office for Research & Statistics, ALA Office for Diversity and Decision Demographics, a research firm based in Arlington, Va.