What are the challenges faced by first-generation BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) professionals in the Library and Information Science (LIS) field? How do biases, policies, and practices impact their workplace experiences and career advancement? These are critical questions we aim to address through focus groups as part of a new, IMLS-funded research project, and we are now seeking participants to share their valuable insights. 

This study, conducted by Africa Hands, assistant professor in the Department of Information Science at the University at Buffalo (UB), in collaboration with Ithaka S+R, seeks to examine the unique career trajectories of first-generation BIPOC professionals in the LIS field. These focus groups will generate a deeper understanding of the challenges and strategies that impact inclusion and professional growth for first-generation professionals.

We are conducting up to three in-person and/or virtual focus groups, each consisting of up to eight participants, to discuss the career experiences of first-generation, BIPOC professionals. These 90-minute sessions will provide a safe and confidential space for participants to discuss any challenges they have faced, biases they have encountered, and the policies and practices that have shaped their careers. The anonymized findings from these focus groups will be shared with LIS educators, administrators, and key stakeholders to inform future policies, services, and professional development opportunities that better support first generation BIPOC professionals. 

Who Should Participate?

We are seeking BIPOC library workers who:

  • Have earned an MLIS or MLS degree
  • Identify as a first-generation student (neither parent/guardian holds a bachelor’s or graduate degree) during their studies
  • Are interested in sharing their workplace experiences, including challenges related to inclusion, professional development, and career advancement in the LIS field

What to Expect

  • Each focus group will last approximately 90 minutes
  • Discussions will explore career barriers, workplace inclusion, and the policies or practices that impact career advancement for first-generation professionals
  • Participants will be selected based on several factors to ensure diverse representation across library roles, geographic regions, and racial/ethnic backgrounds
  • Focus groups will be held virtually or in-person at LibLearnX 2025 in Arizona, with participants receiving a digital gift card as compensation for their time

How to Get Involved

If you are a first-generation BIPOC professional in LIS and are interested in sharing your experiences, we would love to hear from you. Whether you choose to participate virtually or in-person, your insights will contribute to a better understanding of how to support first-generation professionals in the field.

If you think you’d like to participate, complete the Qualtrics questionnaire linked below, which will gather your details for participant selection, and allow you to indicate whether you prefer to participate virtual or in-person at LibLearnX 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona.

For more information, email Melissa Blankstein at melissa.blankstein@ithaka.org or Africa Hands at africaha@buffalo.edu.