Recruitment for Diversity
Welcome and thank you for your interest in recruiting for diversity. No step is too small in the endeavor to build a multicultural workforce, and this goal will only be realized through teamwork and resource sharing. We hope you find these pages helpful. Please share your recruitment challenges, tips and success stories with us via email.
Each and every member of the profession has what it takes to be a recruiter. These resources are meant to support your first tool as a recruiter: your love of your job and profession. Seeing what you do, understanding it, recognizing your commitment, and realizing that it makes a difference in the life of the whole community--those are the best and strongest recruiting messages you can send.
Of course, there is more to recruiting than just doing your job. You need to make your job visible to the people you want to recruit and you need to be able to talk about things that are harder to see, such as the training you received. The tools on this page are here so you may develop and build on your own recruiting skills and for you to help get other people involved in recruiting for diversity as well.
Why Librarians
If we want people not only to become librarians but to appreciate and value those who do, we need to do a better job of letting them know what being a librarian is all about.
So, what exactly is a librarian?
The American Library Association uses the word "librarian" to describe someone who has a master's degree in library and information studies, generally known as a MLS or MLIS. Today's librarians are information specialists, Internet guides, educators, public administrators, children's services specialists, reader's advisors...the choices and career directions are boundless, Some librarians direct enormous library systems. Some are information specialists for large corporations. Others are independent information brokers. Librarians are people who manage and maintain the world of information, and run the institutions that serve people's needs for lifelong learning.
Librarians work in public libraries, in libraries in schools and colleges and universities, in libraries that have specialized collections of art or music, in libraries at hospitals and law firms and businesses in all fields. Whether you want to be a digital diva or a data doctor, a research guru or a role model for children and teens, an information CEO or the "how-to-find-it" person in a rural or special library, there's a library job for you.
Why Diversity
Library patrons--children, families, students, seniors, men and women of all ages--need to see themselves when they walk into the library. They need to see themselves in the displays, collections, websites, and staff, because to see yourself is the first human connection, the first human invitation to become a lifelong user of libraries. Seeing yourself makes you less of a stranger, more of a friend.
Recruiting to a Specific Position
How do you reach a diverse pool of qualified applicants and how do you make your opportunity attractive to them?
Crafting your Message
The first step to successfully filling your opening is to craft the right message, namely your job description and announcement. The following simple checklist can you help you focus your ideas and ensure that your job announcement answers the questions of and appeals to diverse candidates.
Download Checklist
Make the Connection
In addition to exploring creative local avenues for advertising your position and enlisting all of your recruiters, ALA and its affiliates offer further means of connecting with a qualified, diverse and vast pool of applicants.
- Spectrum Connection
The Office of Diversity is happy to share your announcement with the over 500 Spectrum Scholars. For more information email us at diversity@ala.org. - Make Many Connections
Please review our Directory of Library Diversity Organizations for additional opportunities to post your announcements for free or for a small fee. - Remember Mainstream Sources
For more information about posting your job through the American Library Association, please visit http://www.ala.org/education/ .
Recruitment Resources
ALA has assembled a variety of resources for recruiters. Please visit the recruitment page at www.ala.org/education for more information.
Tip sheets, Planning Guides and Handouts
Ready, Set, Go!
Getting Local: What Recruiters Need to Know
A checklist for recruiters to complete that will help you recruit and retain staff that reflects and best serves your diverse and unique population.
Download Text Version
Recruitment Plan
The questions you need to answer before you begin building a recruitment plan.
Download Text Version
So You Want to be a Recruiter
Tip sheet for anyone interested in recruiting for diversity.
Download Text Version
What in the World does a Librarian Do
Handout that provides an overview of the profession and highlights issues that may be of concern to diverse recruits.
Download Text Version