THE RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION OF MINORITY ETHNIC STAFF IN PUBLIC LIBRARIES: PROOF POSITIVE

Why are people from minority ethnic communities under‐represented in public libraries? Suggests that the poor promotion of librarianship as a career is a contributive factor: also argues that, even when staff have been recruited – either as an attempt to make an authority′s workforce reflect the local community or through Section 11 for special projects – the prevailing environment militates against staff being retained. Concludes that black staff need a supportive environment, one where indigenous norms and values do not dominate; also suggests that much can be done by senior managers – through“positive action” – to recruit and retain appropriate staff.