Career Dilemmas of Latino Librarians in Hispanic-Serving Institutions: A Phenomenological Study

This study focuses on the group of Latino librarians in U.S. Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). Using a phenomenological approach and in-depth interviews, it reveals the systemic inequalities, identity dilemmas, and career retention challenges they face. Framed by critical race theory and professional identity theory, the study explores the operation of race and power in the library profession, providing a basis for inclusive reforms in HSIs and the library industry.

Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) have the mission of providing educational opportunities to Latino students, but Latino librarians account for only 0.5% of staff in these institutions. As knowledge gatekeepers and learning facilitators, librarians are crucial to Latino students' language support, cultural identity, and sense of academic belonging. However, the scarcity of this group makes it difficult for them to play their due role. This study aims to explore the career experiences and challenges of Latino librarians in HSIs.

The study uses a phenomenological approach, conducting semi-structured interviews with 12 Latino librarians from HSIs in California. The analytical framework combines critical race theory (focusing on the operation of race and power in the profession and revealing the burdens brought by structural racism) and professional identity theory (exploring the complexity of balancing multiple identities).

Latino librarians commonly experience the "hypervisibility" paradox: their racial identity makes them particularly noticeable in white-dominated environments, but this visibility is often symbolic—they are expected to represent the entire Latino community, yet their professional qualifications are frequently overlooked. For example, respondents were labeled as "multicultural experts" even if their professional fields were unrelated, reducing them to racial symbols.

HSIs have deep institutional issues in recruiting and retaining Latino librarians: implicit biases in recruitment (traditional standards favor white candidates), lack of mentorship programs and promotion support. In addition, Latino librarians bear a "cultural load"—they are asked to do extra work due to their identity (such as supporting Latino students and participating in diversity programs), but these contributions are rarely formally recognized.

Latino librarians demonstrate resilience: building peer networks, seeking external professional communities, choosing culturally inclusive environments; some adopt confrontational strategies to challenge injustice, while others adapt within the existing system. Family and community are both sources of motivation and bring conflicts between family responsibilities and career development (especially for women). Due to the lack of mentorship relationships, they need to proactively seek cross-racial/institutional guidance or form mutual support traditions.

The researchers put forward improvement recommendations for HSIs: 1. Optimize recruitment (re-examine job requirements, expand channels, outreach to Latino candidates); 2. Establish formal support structures (mentorship programs, employee resource groups, career development funds); 3. Recognize cultural load (include it in performance evaluations, provide resource support). These measures are necessary corrections for long-standing inequalities.