Serving ALL Families in Your
Library:
Inclusive Library Collections and
Programs for LGBTQ Families & Children
 |
| Allie the Ally |
Presented by:
And
Megan
Roberts, LGBT Center of Raleigh Library (NC), mroberts@lgbtcenterofraleigh.com
This
session presented information that encouraged us to think about how we serve LGBTQ families in our
library.
Are
we doing enough to ensure that our collections, programming, and environment are
inclusive and welcoming for ALL families and children?
Although,
the information here focused on Rainbow Families, all of the suggestions, and
ideas for increasing inclusivity can be applied to other members of our
community- families whose children or adults may be immigrants, biracial, of
varied socioeconomic status, or have special needs, for example.
How inclusive and welcoming are our libraries to ALL families and children in our community?
What makes up a
Rainbow Family?
·
A single or partnered LGBTQ parent or caregiver
·
A child or tween with an LGBTQ parent or
caregiver
· LGBTQ
children or teens
· Gender
nonconforming children, tweens, or adults
· LGBTQ
Relatives or extended family (ie. aunt, uncle, grandparent)
The term Rainbow Family is meant to be
all-inclusive.
*It’s important to never assume that a family
in the library is a Rainbow Family, even if they are, they may not be comfortable
with or feel safe having it pointed out to others.
Why is it important
that libraries serve Rainbow Families?
According to research presented, currently over 110,000
same-sex couples are raising children and teens, and approx. 2 million children
are being raised in LGBTQ families in the US.
What role does
children’s literature (specifically LGBTQ lit) serve in the lives of Rainbow Families?
·
To provide opportunities for children being
raised in Rainbow Families to make important literacy connections, thus helping
to develop positive self-efficacy and self-esteem.
·
To assist ALL children and ALL families in
understanding themselves and the world around them.
·
To help normalize Rainbow Families, making them
less “other”.
What are the informational
needs of Rainbow Families that libraries can help fill?
·
Families need developmentally appropriate,
high-quality, print and digital materials that normalize the experiences of
LGBTQ families. These need to be available throughout all areas of the Youth Services/Children’s
Dept.’s collection. Not only in the Parenting
section, but also in the easy readers/beginning readers, picture book, and
chapter books sections of the library.
·
Families need current, accurate info about local
organizations serving Rainbow Families.
·
Materials (books, etc.) need to be easy to find within
the collection and library catalog. Librarians should edit MARC record subject
headings to make sure the materials are findable!
·
BUT, NEVER
label books with LGBTQ stickers!!!
o
Why? An example given was a teen who is not
“out” in his community may not be safe if his LGBTQ labeled book accidentally
falls out of his backpack at school.
o
Alternatives to labeling: booklists, finding
guides (LGBTQ 306.76 or Parenting 649.176), displays, difficult topics booklists
that mention the option of using the self checkout machine if a patron prefers.
Considerations when
planning storytimes and other library programming:
·
Know your community! This does not mean you
shouldn’t include materials with LGBTQ characters in programming simply because
your community is considered conservative. It does mean that in some
communities gradual change may be a better option over a Drag Queen Storytime.
·
Always have a well thought-out plan for
responding to children’s, caregiver’s and administrator’s questions. Always assume there WILL be questions. Be
ready for them and have answers!
·
Have clear policies for
o
the selection of materials used in programming,
o
for collection development choices, and
o
for handling complaints about materials- protect
yourself, your workplace, and avoid having to remove materials you believe
should be in your library’s collection.
How to start?
“My
community is very conservative. How do I shift towards a more inclusive and
welcoming environment and programming?”
·
Try not to use pronouns- avoid he/she/her/him.
Use books with gender non-confirming characters, i.e. ambiguous animals or a
female firefighter. Maybe blend these books into something that is already
popular (a banned books display). Make gradual changes.
·
Train and encourage staff to use inclusive
language when describing programs/events. Move away from “bring your mom to our
Mother’s Day celebration”. Instead use, “Bring your family to a mother’s day
celebration, or even better, Celebrate Special Person’s Day.”
·
Reconsider the books being read in storytimes.
What are you reading? How do you describe it?
·
Be careful of older nursery rhymes or songs that
may be insensitive, racist.
·
Remember to maintain confidentiality and
discretion with patron info/records
·
Use person centered language: avoid labeling
people
·
Provide opportunities in the library to learn
about LGBTQ patrons through inclusive displays. For example, a Family Themed
book display that includes books with Rainbow Families, biracial families,
extended families, single parents, etc.
·
Train staff to NOT review items being checked
out
Examples of
successful program and partnerships:
·
Author events
·
Librarians conducting outreach visits to organizations/
centers that serve Rainbow Families and taking part in events they organize
such as festivals, picnics, workshops, play dates, etc.
·
Using Allie
the Ally logo/ image to show that your program is welcoming and inclusive
of ALL families: http://allietheally.tumblr.com/aboutallie
Collection
Development:
Questions to ask when reviewing material.
·
How do the children in the book react to
learning that someone is LGBTQ?
·
How is sexual orientation explained, is it age
appropriate, is it even necessary?
·
How are LGBTQ families portrayed in the illustrations?
·
How is gender identity and gender diversity
addressed?
·
How does the narrative describe the lives of the
characters? Is it dev. appropriate?
Have copies of these books not only in parenting sections, but
also in picture book sections, chapter book sections, etc. Be mindful of the
placement of these materials. Avoid shelving them separately or any placement
that rather than normalize them, instead point them out as being different from
the norm.
Balancing act???
If we have pro-gay materials, should we have anti-gay materials
to create a balanced collection? NO!
*Remember that having a balanced collection does NOT mean
you have antigay materials.
A balanced collection includes heterosexual materials (which
already fill our shelves) and LGBTQ materials…. ALL families are represented.
Resources: (coming soon!)
The PowerPoint presentation:
Recommended book titles/ resources/ book awards:
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