LGBTQIA+ Inclusive Children's Librarianship: Policies, Programs, and Practices
152
LGBTQIA+ Inclusive Children's Librarianship: Policies, Programs, and Practices
152Paperback
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Overview
School and public librarians are serving ever greater numbers of LGBTQIA+ children and families. Transgender children may begin to express a strong sense of gender identity as early as 2–3 years of age. Children are also identifying as gay much sooner than earlier generations-often between the ages of 7 and 12. Additionally, more children than ever before are living with LGBTQIA+ caregivers.
In seeking to make our programs and services inclusive and equitable for these growing populations, librarians may court controversy and face community backlash from patrons who feel queer-inclusive content is inappropriate for young children. This book codifies a set of best practices for librarians as they rise to this challenge, defining queer-inclusive programs, identifying potential barriers to implementation, and offering strategies and resources to overcome them.
Resources for Additional Support
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781440876776 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Bloomsbury Academic |
| Publication date: | 05/16/2022 |
| Pages: | 152 |
| Product dimensions: | 6.10(w) x 9.20(h) x 0.45(d) |
| Age Range: | 12 - 18 Years |
About the Author
Jenna Spiering, PhD, is assistant professor of information science at the University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC.
Vanessa Lynn Kitzie, PhD, is assistant professor of information science at the University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC.
Julia Erlanger, MSLIS, is a youth services librarian for Sacramento Public Library in Sacramento, CA.
Table of Contents
Foreword Anastasia M. Collins, MLIS, MA ix
Acknowledgment xiii
Chapter 1 Why This Book Was Written 1
Why Library Services for Children 2
Why School and Public Libraries 2
Understanding the Terminology We Use 4
Intersectionality and How It Applies to LGBTQIA+ Children and Youth 7
Mental Health and How It Applies to Library Services for LGBTQIA+ Children and Youth 12
Who We Are and How We See the World (Our Positionality Statements) 13
Lucy 13
Jenna 15
Vanessa 16
Julia 17
References 18
Chapter 2 Policies and Procedures 23
Policies and Procedures on Professional Behavior and Language Use 23
Nondiscrimination Policies 24
Inclusive Language Procedures 25
Print and Communication Materials 26
Event Titles 27
Email Signatures and Name Badges 28
Verbal Interactions 29
Policies and Procedures on Professional Development 31
Professional Development Plans 31
Temporary Library Staff and Library Volunteers 32
School Administration and Library Trustees 32
Classroom Teachers and Professional Development 34
Public Library School Outreach 34
Self-Reflection 35
Policies and Procedures on Displays and Facilities 36
Displays 36
General/Behavior-Driven Displays 36
Curriculum-Driven Displays 36
Literacy-Driven Displays 37
Restrooms 38
Meeting Spaces 39
School Libraries 40
Patron Use of the Children's Area 40
Policies and Procedures in Digital Spaces 41
Digital Resources 41
Internet Filters and Access 42
School Libraries 43
Privacy 44
Patron Records 44
Public Libraries 45
School Libraries 45
Circulation Records 46
E-Books 48
Educational Technology 48
References 49
Chapter 3 Programming: Beyond Building the Collection 53
Storytimes 53
Representation 54
Discussions for Young Children 55
Queering Reading 55
Drag Storytimes 56
Reader's Advisory 58
Recommend LGBTQIA+ Books to All Patrons 59
Read Queer Books 59
Book Clubs 60
Instructional Partnerships and Collaborations 62
Co-Teaching for School Librarians 62
School and Public Library Partnerships 66
Makerspaces 67
Targeted Family Programming 70
Final Thoughts on Subverting Core Library Programming 73
References 74
Chapter 4 Overcoming Resistance and Personal Fear 79
Allies 80
How to Visibly Support LGBTQIA+ People and Communities 83
Invisibility 83
Intellectual Freedom 85
Reconsidering "Neutrality" 85
Censorship 85
Self-Censorship 86
Giving Up Your Comfort for LGBTQIA+ Kids 88
Hypervisibility 88
Protests and Pushback 90
Collections and Read-Alouds 90
Drag Storytimes 90
Book Displays 91
Author Visits 91
Preparing for Challenges 92
Book, Material, and Display Challenges 93
Program Challenges 94
The Call Is Coming From Inside the House: Lucy's Story 95
Pushing Your Practice Forward: Additional Strategies for LGBTQIA+ Inclusion 97
Other Considerations for Allyship: Coming Out and Identity Disclosure for LGBTQIA+ Librarians and Intersectionality 100
LGBTQIA+ Librarians 100
Coming Out and Identity Disclosure 100
Challenging the LGBTQIA+ Monolith: Intersectionality and Normativities 101
Strategies for Fostering LGBTQIA+ Inclusivity From an intersectional Standpoint 103
References 104
Chapter 5 Resources for Additional Support 109
Activities and Curriculum Support 109
Advocacy 111
Collection Development 112
Communities 115
Demographic and Statistical Portraits 115
Further Reading 117
Glossaries and Language Guides 118
Intersectionality 118
Legal Organizations 120
Mental Health 121
Policy Guides 122
Professional Development 123
Programming Guides 124
Social Media Packages and Resources 125
Youth Voices 128
Index 129
What People are Saying About This
At a time when book challenges are at an all time high, and some states are even seeking to legislate the erasure of narratives that affirm queer identities specifically, LGBTQIA+ Inclusive Children’s Librarianship by Santos Green et al, is a potentially life saving resource. As the authors point out in the very first chapter, while visibility and acceptance of queer identities has increased greatly in the last few decades, this progress has been met with highly organized, “targeted pushback against attempts to include LGBTQIA+ youth and their stories in public spaces such as libraries and schools.” The erasure of queer stories and experiences from library shelves, displays and programming is particularly distressing when overlapped with the reality that “[a] large percentage of LGBTQIA+ youth report symptoms of anxiety and depression, including self-harming behaviors and suicidal ideation (thoughts of suicide).” In this context, it’s clear that librarians have a responsibility to create collections, spaces and programming that are both inclusive and affirming. Still, in today’s world, doing that work can feel difficult and even dangerous. With this in mind, Santos Green et al, not only acknowledge the personal and professional risk librarians sometimes face when advocating for their queer youth, they also provide resources and tips for overcoming resistance, personal discomfort and potentially confrontational challenges from community members. Indeed, rich with practical strategies for updating policies, procedures and programming LGBTQIA+ Inclusive Children’s Librarianship serves as a blueprint to meet this important moment. I can’t wait for librarians to have access to this empowering and essential book.
This is required reading for librarians everywhere! This is relevant, important information. The library is the central hub of the school, and this is a guidebook to help ensure that it truly is. Go beyond the performative displays of allyship and use this book to go beyond decorations and get to the heart of issue. The helpful inclusive glossary of terms and student testimonies truly help capture the need for this book.