Low Morale in Ethnic and Racial Minority Academic Librarians: An Experiential Study

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Fall 2019

Publication Source

Library Trends

Abstract

Library and information science (LIS) literature about workplace bullying and burnout in academic libraries continues to grow, and a recent study has revealed the experience of low morale in the same environment. Concomitantly, research focusing on continuing recruitment, promotion, advancement, and retention problems for ethnic and minority librarians; links between North American library values and workplace abuse; and historiographies on the historic marginalization of minority librarians has also appeared in LIS literature. Citing aforementioned developments in LIS literature and the racially homogeneous participant makeup of Kendrick's 2017 study of low morale in academic libraries, this follow-up qualitative study focuses on racial and ethnic minority academic librarians to understand this group's experience of low morale.

Emerging data validate the development, trajectory, and health-related consequences of low morale; center the load of additional impact factors; and highlight the impact of low morale on recruitment and retention efforts of racial and ethnic minority librarians employed in North American colleges and universities.

Inclusive pages

174-212

ISBN/ISSN

1559-0682

Volume

68

Issue

2

Peer Reviewed

yes

Keywords

low morale, academic libraries, librarians of color, minority librarians

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