Leadership Aspirations of Asian American Academic Librarians

ABSTRACT

This study, a portion of a larger study, explores the leadership aspirations of Asian American academic librarians in academic libraries in the United States. Asian American academic librarians, who entered the library profession between 2007 and 2012, were sought for this inquiry. It is a Web-based survey, made up of 10 questions, containing multiple choice questions and short essay-type answers. The topics covered in this survey include: gender, age, education, institutional types, public and professional service, mentorship, and leadership aspirations. The study population was comprised of approximately 150 Asian Americans who entered the profession between 2007 and 2012. Thirty-one participants responded to the survey: 24 women and seven men. The results revealed, among other things, that a significant number of Asian Americans aspire to become academic library administrators/leaders.

KEYWORDS:

• Asian Americans
• asian American academic librarians
• Asian American academic library leaders
• asian American academic library administrators
• U.S. academic libraries
• leadership aspirations

Funding

The author would like to thank the following organizations for their support: The Pennsylvania State University, the University Libraries, and the Office of the Vice Provost for Educational Equity/Multicultural Faculty Development Support Funds.