Black and Non-Black Library Workers’ Perceptions of Hiring, Retention, and Promotion Racial Equity Practices

Abstract

Using data collected through an online survey, this study examined employees’ perceptions of their library’s racial equity efforts and workplace experiences with racial equity and racism. Black and non-Black participants’ perceptions are analyzed on hiring, retention, and promotion of Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) employees. Our quantitative data reveals Black participants are more decisive about their experiences or perceptions than non-Black participants. Our qualitative data also reveals that libraries with no or few BIPOC employees, or organizational issues, or hostile work environments lead to a variety of negative experiences for BIPOC employees.