Some Personal Thoughts on Diversity
by Cesar Caballero
Diversity has been a primary issue for me since I first became interested in librarianship. Librarians (at least those around me) seemed open to different cultures and lifestyles. Librarians saw themselves as defenders of intellectual freedom, and that appealed to me very much. After all, that was in the early 1970s, after many of us had experienced the conscience-building decade of the 1960s.
At that time, very few Chicanos and other people of color worked in professional fields, including librarianship. Many of us advocated for some level of representation in those professional ranks. We wanted to see our so-called "minority group" represented. We wanted role models and mentors. We wanted to feel pride as well as a sense of inclusion. Furthermore, we viewed diversity as a way to create social change that could result in better services for those who needed them the most.
Chicano Studies was established as an area of study at some campuses throughout the country during the late 1960s and early 1970s. All of a sudden, libraries faced a demand for specialized collections and services to support this study. Consequently, some of us were called into service as Chicano Studies librarians with or without a library science degree. There were also a handful of Mexican-American or Hispanic-American Services librarians at a few public libraries. Most of us came up through the ranks, having worked in a library first as library aides, student assistants, or clerks.
Some of us decided to enter the profession by obtaining the MLS credential, usually through a scholarship or a Title II-B fellowship. I entered the Graduate School of Library and Information Science at The University of Texas at Austin, which had recruited a few other minority students. The program was designed to prepare librarians to work with underserved minority populations. I would have to say that we have done that rather well, having established specialized collections, developed bilingual services, and trained users at all levels on the use of library resources. Some of us have even written and published much-needed specialized reference tools.
Chicano librarians have worked diligently to develop outreach services, literacy projects, services to underserved populations, and bilingual services in some instances. The impact has been great, and it has been felt. Our work has made a lasting imprint on library service in Texas, but much remains to be done. We must continue building programs for all constituents of libraries in Texas, and we must increase the opportunities for individuals to undertake this work. Our professional groups have a particular role to play in nurturing minority librarians.
I recall from past conferences how Chicanos and other librarians of color would get lost in the established organizational structures since there were so few of us. That was certainly true for me. Then, one day, I attended an ALA Conference and ran into Dr. Arnulfo Trejo who told me about Reforma (The National Association for the Promotion of Library Services to the Spanish Speaking) and how to join, which I did. Reforma worked within established national, state, and local library organizations, including TLA, to create awareness about the need for services and materials developed for Hispanic library users. At that time, Reforma was seen as a fringe organization whose goals were sometimes questioned. Now, it is at the forefront and considered mainstream.
At one time, the profession had so few Chicano librarians that we were sometimes mistaken as part of the help at special events. Some of us have vivid memories of walking into professional luncheons only to be asked by our colleagues if we could bring them more coffee. This happened to me at an ALA dinner at which I was to be installed as a new member of the Executive Board. Imagine the face of my colleagues when my name was called and I stood up to be recognized.
Regardless of such occasions, I have known many progressive librarians that have advocated for diversity within the profession at the local, state, and national levels. I have also witnessed the development of several important recruitment efforts, including the Library Administration and Management Association (LAMA, an ALA affiliate), an organization that actively recruited librarians of color. So far, though, the most far-reaching initiative is Spectrum 2000, ALA's effort to recruit and provide financial assistance to future librarians of color. I was thrilled when I got the honor of making the motion for its approval before the board of the ALA. This national program works with TLA's current efforts as well as those of other state library organizations.
Yet, despite these endeavors, I would have to say that the profession is still not sufficiently diverse. There are still too few Chicano, Black, and Asian librarians (to name only three traditionally underrepresented groups). Many librarians of color currently in the profession are aging and getting close to retirement. Soon, it seems, we will have less diversity than a few years ago unless we do something to reverse the trend. We need broad and aggressive recruitment and training initiatives. The profession critically needs to recruit and train librarians to serve growing minority populations throughout this country.
Ultimately, we need to make diversity as much a part of our professional philosophy as intellectual freedom. By doing so, we establish a fundamental principle, one that will help shape our professional thoughts and actions. The need for diversity is an imperative that touches upon all facets of library work and service. By working towards better representation, we build a stronger profession and improve our ability to serve the public.
Cesar Caballero is the associate university librarian at the University of Texas at El Paso.