Is the Library a “Welcoming Space”? An Urban Academic Library and Diverse Student Experiences - Sharon Elteto, Rose M. Jackson, and Adriene Lim
abstract: This article presents a case study of an urban academic library’s attempt to identify factors that influence the perceptions of students of color concerning the library as a welcoming space. The goal of this study is to determine if there are qualitative divergent factors along racial lines concerning how students use this library. The research is grounded in the theory of symbolic
interactionism and Critical Race Theory. The authors then used these theories to focus on three
themes that emerged reflecting racial differences among library users. This project adds to the
limited scholarly research concerning the influence of the library on the experiences and the
retention and success rates of students of color.