This proster discusses the findings of an Institute of Museum and Library Science (IMLS) planning grant (RE-252396-OLS-22) funded to design a mixed method, multi-state library workforce study. The study focused on the experiences of traditionally underrepresented people of color working as academic library support staff, but not as a librarian or library faculty. The study generated new insights and understanding of minoritized academic library support staff’s current status (numbers, distribution, demographics, levels of educational attainment, activities, etc.), their professional interests and aspirations, and potential barriers (financial, cultural, personal, other) that might hinder recruitment, retention, and advancement of minoritized populations in the field. New insights and understanding of minoritized academic library support staff generated in this study has implications for the BIPOC paraprofessional pipeline for academic libraries in their attempt to bridge the equity, diversity and inclusion gaps
