Publication Date
2018
Document Type
Book Chapter
Keywords
Women, Information technology, Libraries
Abstract
Per the United States Department of Labor Women’s Bureau’s latest available statistics, the percentage of women employed in computer and information technology occupations was consistently lower than the average for all occupations. When broken down by selected characteristics, these numbers range from 12.4% in computer network architectures to 35.2% in web development. Is this trend reflected in the libraries? Although no comprehensive statistics are available for women in library IT, Lamont’s study does reflect the same trend in that the number of women as library IT department heads has been about one half that of men between 2004-2008. Why is there an under representation of women in library IT leadership? Is gender a concern? To answer this question, a more essential question should be addressed, i.e. what makes a successful IT supervisor in libraries? We posit that a successful supervisor is reflected in the morale and self-esteem of their reports, as well as in the integrity, productivity, and efficiency of the department or group they head.
Publication Statement
This is a postprint of a book chapter published as:
Cox, J., Rynhart, J., & Yeh, S. (2018). Essentialism, Social Construction, or Individual Differences. In J. Brandon, S. Ladenson, & K. Sattler (Eds.) We Can Do I.T. Women in Library Information Technology (p. 50-53). Sacramento, CA: Library Juice Press.
Recommended Citation
Cox, Jenelys; Rynhart, Jeff; and Yeh, Shea-Tinn, "Essentialism, Social Construction, or Individual Differences" (2018). University Libraries: Staff Scholarship. 4.
https://digitalcommons.du.edu/libraries_staff/4
Included in
Computer Sciences Commons, Library and Information Science Commons, Women's Studies Commons