Journal Article: “Library Leadership in Minority Serving Institutions: Investigating the Backgrounds of MSI Library Directors”

The article linked below was recently published by Libri.

Title

Library Leadership in Minority Serving Institutions: Investigating the Backgrounds of MSI Library Directors

Authors

Brady Lund
University of North Texas

Source

Libri, 2025

DOI: 10.1515/libri-2024-0114

Abstract

This article reports the findings of a study of the educational backgrounds of library directors at Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) in the United States. Using a content analysis of MSI library websites and director/dean profiles, the leadership of 746 minority-serving institutions was identified including whether they have earned an American Library Association-accredited Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) degree and from which library and information science (LIS) program it was earned. The study found that 83.8 % of MSI library directors held a MLIS degree though the percentage can vary dramatically based on MSI type, with only 50 % of Tribal College and University directors possessing this degree compared to 92.6 % of Historically Black College and University library directors. The LIS programs with the greatest number of MSI library director alumni are San Jose State University, the University of North Texas, and the University of Illinois, though the top programs for educating these MSI library directors also varies based on the MSI type. The findings of this study have implications for better understanding MSI libraries and the role of LIS programs in preparing future MSI library directors.

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