Academic libraries and DEI initiatives: A quantitative study of employee satisfaction

Abstract

This survey study explored employees' of academic libraries, specifically R1 and R2 Doctoral Universities in the United States, attitudes regarding their overall level of satisfaction with the implementation of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives at their places of work in regard to the promotion of DEI culture at their institutions, the ability to pursue DEI work in their day-to-day work, and the alignment of their personal values with their libraries, universities, and surrounding communities. The findings suggest that while most respondents felt there was acceptable buy-in from library and university employees, library and university leadership must provide meaningful support for DEI, or library employees will become dismayed and experience low morale. Findings also indicate that while the institutional culture within one's library and university may be supportive of DEI work, threats to the promotion and tenure process could be a deterrent. Finally, respondents also reported overall comfortability in incorporating DEI work into their day-to-day lives. While the results are not generalizable to institutions outside of the parameters of the current study, this study sheds some perspective on the LIS community's response to DEI issues.