LGBTQIA+ Inclusive Children's Librarianship: Policies, Programs, and Practices

by Lucy Santos Green, Jenna Spiering, Vanessa Lynn Kitzie, Julia Erlanger, Anastasia M. Collins (Foreword by)

Overview

This book breaks new ground, offering school and public librarians serving children in grades K–8 a roadmap for implementing and upholding queer-inclusive programs, policies, and services.

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:	9798216110798
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication date:	05/16/2022
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	152
File size:	2 MB
Age Range:	7 - 17 Years

About the Author

Lucy Santos Green, EdD, is professor of information science at the University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC.

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.
Lucy Santos Green, EdD, is Professor of Information Science at the University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA.
Jenna Spiering, PhD, is Assistant Professor of Information Science at the University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA.
Lynn Kitzie, PhD, is Assistant Professor of Information Science at the University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA.
Julia Erlanger, MSLIS, is a youth services librarian for Sacramento Public Library in Sacramento, CA, USA.

Table of Contents

Foreword
Anastasia M. Collins, MLIS, MA
Acknowledgment
Chapter 1: Why This Book Was Written
Why Library Services for Children
Why School and Public Libraries
Understanding the Terminology We Use
Intersectionality and How It Applies to LGBTQIA+ Children and Youth
Mental Health and How It Applies to Library Services for LGBTQIA+ Children and Youth
Who We Are and How We See the World (Our Positionality Statements)
Lucy
Jenna
Vanessa
Julia
References
Chapter 2: Policies and Procedures
Policies and Procedures on Professional Behavior and Language Use
Nondiscrimination Policies
Inclusive Language Procedures
Print and Communication Materials
Event Titles
Email Signatures and Name Badges
Verbal Interactions
Policies and Procedures on Professional Development
Professional Development Plans
Temporary Library Staff and Library Volunteers
School Administration and Library Trustees
Classroom Teachers and Professional Development
Public Library School Outreach
Self-Reflection
Policies and Procedures on Displays and Facilities
Displays
General/Behavior-Driven Displays
Curriculum-Driven Displays
Literacy-Driven Displays
Restrooms
Meeting Spaces
School Libraries
Patron Use of the Children's Area
Policies and Procedures in Digital Spaces
Digital Resources
Internet Filters and Access
School Libraries
Privacy
Patron Records
Public Libraries
School Libraries
Circulation Records
E-Books
Educational Technology
References
Chapter 3: Programming: Beyond Building the Collection
Storytimes
Representation
Discussions for Young Children
Queering Reading
Drag Storytimes
Reader's Advisory
Recommend LGBTQIA+ Books to All Patrons
Read Queer Books
Book Clubs
Instructional Partnerships and Collaborations
Co-Teaching for School Librarians
School and Public Library Partnerships
Makerspaces
Targeted Family Programming
Final Thoughts on Subverting Core Library Programming
References
Chapter 4: Overcoming Resistance and Personal Fear
Allies
How to Visibly Support LGBTQIA+ People and Communities
Invisibility
Intellectual Freedom
Reconsidering "Neutrality"
Censorship
Self-Censorship
Giving Up Your Comfort for LGBTQIA+ Kids
Hypervisibility
Protests and Pushback
Collections and Read-Alouds
Drag Storytimes
Book Displays
Author Visits
Preparing for Challenges
Book, Material, and Display Challenges
Program Challenges
The Call Is Coming From Inside the House: Lucy's Story
Pushing Your Practice Forward: Additional Strategies for LGBTQIA+ Inclusion
Other Considerations for Allyship: Coming Out and Identity Disclosure for LGBTQIA+ Librarians and Intersectionality
LGBTQIA+ Librarians
Coming Out and Identity Disclosure
Challenging the LGBTQIA+ Monolith: Intersectionality and Normativities
Strategies for Fostering LGBTQIA+ Inclusivity From an Intersectional Standpoint
References
Chapter 5: Resources for Additional Support
Activities and Curriculum Support
Advocacy
Collection Development
Communities
Demographic and Statistical Portraits
Further Reading
Glossaries and Language Guides
Intersectionality
Legal Organizations
Mental Health
Policy Guides
Professional Development
Programming Guides
Social Media Packages and Resources
Youth Voices
Index129

What People are Saying About This

Jennifer LaGarde

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.

Cicely Lewis

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.

Editorial Reviews

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.” —Jennifer LaGarde, Adjunct Professor, Rutgers University, Creator of librarygirl.net

“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.” —Cicely Lewis, School Librarian at Meadowcreek High School and Founder of Read Woke

From the Publisher