The public library is a unique institution that aims to promote social justice which is attached to the concept of social inclusion. Although, multiculturalism is one fundamental principles of public libraries and the global library professional community is committed to advocating equality, diversity and integration, librarianship has not become a career choice of interest amidst the immigrant population. This study examines the professional identity construction of students with an immigrant background, during their studies in Library and Information Studies. This thesis contributes to understanding the professional identity construction and experiences which influence society newcomers’ integration into the professional community and the career continuum.

The empirical study was carried out in a context of Library and Information Studies focusing on participants' (N=8) experiences of inclusion / exclusion in the professional frame as they progress through library education. A long-term approach was chosen, enabling a follow up how participants integrate into professional communities. The data are in the form of life story narratives, focus interviews and follow-up discussions and the material have been collected in three different phases: when the participants started their studies; at the end of their studies; seven years after their studies. The nature of the long-term study is qualitative and its epistemological and ontological orientation is social constructionism.

The professional identity construction is studied through the lens of public libraries and library professionalism, but the research is attached to the Social Identity Theory. According to the concept of social identity people seek groups that have meaning for them, have positive identity and can provide them the sense of belonging. Inclusion as such is linked with socialisation, a process during which an individual seeks a place for oneself among the group.

According to the results, the domains of education, practice and professional community are significant platforms at the beginning of the professional career. They provide a setting for the professional identity construction and career continuum evaluation. In that case, that librarianship aims seriously at the integration of people with an immigrant background into the profession, it should pay attention to each domain, how to support positive experiences which in turn produce a sense of belonging, strengthen self-esteem and distinctive identity construction. These in turn could improve newcomers’ certainty of the career choice and its continuum.

Ritva Hyttinen was born in 1961 in Joensuu, Finland.