To Move or Not to Move
Developing and maintaining a diverse collection is quite possibly the most significant part of the librarian’s job. To oblige a request to segregate parts of a collection because they may contain LGBTQ+ content or offend because of descriptions of urban life is antithetical to these purposes. Additional labeling can cause issues as well, both by discouraging a patron from choosing materials that they might enjoy despite the differences between them and the communities represented in a book, as well as posing a legitimate danger to LGBTQ+ patrons by marking materials with LGBTQ+ content, thereby highlighting their choice of reading.
The ALA Policy Manual’s statement on Combating Prejudice, Stereotyping, and Discrimination clearly describes the position taken by the association:
The American Library Association actively commits its programs and resources to those efforts that combat prejudice, stereotyping, and discrimination against individuals and groups in the library profession and in library user populations on the basis of race, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, creed, color, religious background, national origin, language of origin or disability. Nothing in the Resolution on Prejudice, Stereotyping, and Discrimination authorizes censoring, expurgation, or restrictive labeling of materials. (ALA, 2010)
The duty of the library to promote diverse collections is laid bare in this interpretation of the library Bill of Rights:
Library workers have an obligation to select, maintain, and support access to content on subjects by diverse authors and creators that meets—as closely as possible—the needs, interests, and abilities of all the people the library serves. This means acquiring materials to address popular demand and direct community input, as well as addressing collection gaps and unexpressed information needs. Library workers have a professional and ethical responsibility to be proactively inclusive in collection development and in the provision of interlibrary loan where offered.
Additionally, an interpretation of Library Bill of Rights to address issues of attempted censorship of LGBTQ+ content has been published, and clearly states:
Article II maintains that "Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval." Library services, materials, and programs representing diverse points of view on sex, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation should be considered for purchase and inclusion in library collections and programs.2 The Association affirms that attempts to proscribe or remove materials dealing with gay, lesbian, bisexual, and/or transgender life without regard to the written, approved selection policy violate this tenet and constitute censorship. (ALA, 2007)
"Access to Library Resources and Services Regardless of Sex, Gender Identity, Gender Expression, or Sexual Orientation: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights", American Library Association, May 29, 2007. http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill/interpretations/accesslgbt (Accessed April 12, 2021)
"B.3 Diversity (Old Number 60)", American Library Association, August 4, 2010. http://www.ala.org/aboutala/governance/policymanual/updatedpolicymanual/section2/3diversity (Accessed April 12, 2021)
"Diverse Collections: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights", American Library Association, July 26, 2006.http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill/interpretations/diversecollections (Accessed April 12, 2021)
Hello, Amanda.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I find this situation rather subjective. Separating them could be seen as some form of discrimination. However, creating a section for a specific genre has its own merit in the fact that people can find them more easily if they prefer that type of book. If a library has many of those particular genres, they might deserve their own spot in that regard. On the other hand, if such works stayed in the general collection, the books could all be labelled to be more identifiable. I suppose it all depends on the library and community it serves.
Keep up the good work.
James
Your post reminded me of something I read for another class this week, specifically the parts about providing a comprehensive collection with multiple points of view and experiences: "Most libraries are charged with meeting the needs and interests of their communities, but that does not mean catering only to the majority. In fact, a well-rounded collection should include voices and experiences that do not exist (or are not visible) in your community (Calkins, 2014, para. 14)." It is definitely important to include titles from both the LGBTQ and Urban Fiction genres, but I think you're correct in your assessment that separating them or even adding additional labeling is something to be avoided. I can see where labeling might appear to be a decent compromise, but personally I think it can be its own kind of censorship.
ReplyDeleteReference:
Calkins, E. (2014, October 8). The right to read: The how and why of supporting intellectual freedom for teens. In the Library with the Lead Pipe. http://www.inthelibrarywiththeleadpipe.org/2014/the-right-to-read-the-how-and-why-of-supporting-intellectual-freedom-for-teens/
I also agree with your assessment Amanda and I think Jessie makes a good point too. All these examples emphasize for me that librarians need to remember that books with LGBTQ characters or themes are for everyone, a book doesn't always have to be a mirror, it can be a window. I don't want to segregate books for LGBTQ content from the rest of the collection anymore than I want to segregate LGBTQ persons from the rest of society. Sometimes it seems to me like how we treat books reflects how we treat people in our society, like some don't go together, like bias playing out in the world of objects. I think separating the collection could keep more people away- people who aren't out and don't want to be seen browsing that section or people who might love the story but feel its not for them because they are straight- than it would draw people in.
ReplyDeleteI love that you quoted ALA - full points!
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