A Simple Step: Integrating Library Reference and Instruction into Previously Established Academic Programs for Minority Students

Nationally, universities fail to retain African-American, Hispanic, and Native-American students at the same rate as White students. In recent studies, libraries were shown as one of the only campus facilities that positively impacted minority student retention. Partnerships between the library and Minority Student Affairs programs can produce effective results for both minority students and university libraries. Federally funded, targeted academic summer programs such as the Ronald E. McNairs Scholars Program, the Summer Research Opportunities Program, and the Upward Bound Program provide academic libraries with an ideal foundation to offer reference and instruction services to minority students.