Job Trends for New LIS Minority Graduates A 5-Year Analysis

1. Job Trends for New LIS Minority GraduatesA 5-Year Analysis Stephanie Maatta, Ph.D. Assistant Professor School of Library & Information Science University of South Florida JCLC, Dallas, TX, October 13, 2006

2. Current Employment Trends for LIS Graduates Reporting Minority Status • LIS graduates reporting minority status are faring well in the job market • Most frequently placed in Academic & Public libraries • Increasing number of graduates reporting placement in “other” agencies • Increasing placements in technology-related positions & agencies • Reported salaries are on average 1.57% higher than all reported salaries for new LIS graduates

3. LIS Minority Graduates & Reported Full-Time Placements for Annual LJ Salary & Placements Survey • Minority graduates comprise an annual average of 10.73% of all reported new LIS full-time placements in libraries & other agencies • Full time placements increased approximately 24.5%

4. Placements by Library Types2001-2005

5. Placements by Library Type2001-2005 • For the past 5 years, LIS minority graduates have found placements most frequently in: • Academic Libraries • Average 32.09% of annual reported placements • Public Libraries • Average 33.54% of annual reported placements • During this same time reported placements have decreased by almost 42% • 39.47% of placements in 2001 to 27.81% in 2005

6. Placements by Library Type2001-2005 • Placements in Special Libraries and with “Other” Agencies have steadily increased • Special Libraries = 7.82% average annual reported placements • Other Agencies (including non-profits, corporate IT, private industry, etc.) = 8.17% average annual reported placements • Placements in “other” agencies have increased approximately 45% from 2001-2005

7. Placements by Library Type2001-2005 • Possible factors impacting placement • Emphasis on diversity in the workforce & deliberate recruitment/retention efforts • More opportunities & higher salaries in non-traditional environments

8. Top 5 Primary Job Assignments2001-2005(LIS graduates reporting minority status)

9. Primary Job Assignment Trends2001-2005 • Positions in Reference/Information Services continues to be the most frequently reported placement • Average 28.25% of annual reported placements • Positions with an emphasis on information technology have experienced the best levels of growth • An approximately average increase of 65.85% in overall technology placements between 2001-2005

10. Primary Job Assignment Trends2001-2005(All LIS graduates) • This mirrors the overall trends of all new LIS graduates • Growth in children/youth services • Growth in “other” types of positions since 2003 • 1st year of significant reporting • Decline in reference/information services

11. Salary Comparisons 2001-2005 • 2005 was a benchmark year for all LIS graduates • Reported starting salaries broke the $40,000 barrier with an annual average of $40,118 • From 2001 to 2005 salaries for new LIS graduates reporting minority status have increased approximately 12% • Salaries for all new LIS graduates during the same period increased approximately 8.23%

12. Salary Comparisons 2001-2005 • Salaries for LIS grads reporting minority status have shown significant growth in the past 5 years • On average the starting salaries are 1.57% higher for LIS grads reporting minority status • In 2001 salaries were less than 1% higher • In 2005 salaries were 5.01% higher

13. Salary Comparisons & U.S. Inflation Rates2001-2005

14. Other Noteworthy Trends • On average 27.48% of LIS grads reporting minority status were placed in the Northeast between 2001-2005 • Interestingly, placements in the Northeast have fallen during this time period by approximately 34% • Placements in the Midwest have experienced the best growth, increasing approximately 25% between 2001-2005

15. Other Noteworthy Trends • Approximately 4% of all new LIS graduates report speaking or reading a language other than English with fluency • Spanish is the most commonly reported • The most common background for all new LIS graduates is Education • Approximately 30% report a degree and/or experience in education and teaching

16. Survey Limitations • Approximately 38% of LIS graduates participate in survey each year • Survey does not have full representation of LIS schools or graduates • “Other” minority status – no indication whether participant is reporting minority status unless he/she self-identifies • Responses have incomplete data • Most frequently excluded data are gender/sex and race/ethnicity

17. The 2006 Library Journal Placements & Salary Survey will be underway in February 2007 • Did you graduate with your Master’s degree in academic year 2006? Do you know someone who did? Please consider participating in the annual salary survey. For information, please contact either your graduate program or Dr. Stephanie Maatta (smaatta@cas.usf.edu). Your participation is crucial to understanding the successes and challenges faced by LIS graduates in finding the first professional position.

18. Thank you!Data for this presentation was drawn from the 2001-2005 Library Journal Annual Salary & Placement Surveys If you have questions, please contact me at smaatta@cas.usf.edu or (813) 974-2370 Stephanie Maatta