UC hosts Hughes STEM students to explore diverse careers in libraries

University of Cincinnati Libraries will bring students from Hughes STEM High School to campus on March 19 for a program designed to address the current trend of retiring librarians, introduce students to diverse disciplines and cultivate interest in the library profession among students as they begin to plan their future career paths. “Exploring the Diverse Career Paths within Libraries” will also show how IT skills are used in the library profession and educate student visitors about library student worker jobs. 

A recent survey conducted by the Association of Research Libraries, of which UC Libraries is a member, found that African Americans account for only 8 percent of library staff, while librarians are 82 percent white non-Hispanic. In that same survey, library directors overwhelmingly responded that the primary barrier to hiring a more diverse staff occurs in the applicant pool. 

In order to help diversify that pool of applicants, libraries must find new and engaging ways to attract underrepresented minorities into the library profession. On Tuesday, March 19, noon-3 p.m., UC Libraries will host 22 Hughes High School 10th- and 11th-grade students. During the three hours the students are in the libraries, they will have the opportunity to engage in active learning experiences in both STEMM and humanities’ fields. They will tour areas within the Walter C. Langsam Library including Content Services and the Preservation Lab where they will witness the diverse work being doing in academic libraries. In addition, they will visit the Robert A. Deshon and Karl J. Schlachter Library for Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning to see how a college and departmental library fulfills the unique needs of their college constituents.

The visiting high-schoolers will meet student library workers and learn about their experiences assisting their fellow students in how to use the library. Librarians and staff from throughout the libraries and the University of Cincinnati Press will give demonstrations of their work and talk about their experience, backgrounds and why they chose a library career.

“Exploring the Diverse Career Paths within Libraries” is funded through a UC Office of Equity and Inclusion grant.