Librarians for Tomorrow at the San José Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Joint Library

Abstract

Recruitment initiatives at San José State University date back over a decade. SJSU and local librarians and faculty from the School of Library and Information Science and local libraries have been partnering with professional organizations by sponsoring recruitment fairs, ice cream socials and other gatherings at SJSU and in the broader communities to recruit individuals to attend library school. This paper provides a review of the literature regarding recruitment and retention of students of color in library schools. Also included is a review of the factors that lead to the decision to become a librarian. It provides a description of the IMLS Librarians for Tomorrow Program at San José State University. Challenges and recommendations for future study followed.