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Minoritized Collection

 


As a member of my own library's collection development committee, this is something I dread facing. With censorship threats from local and state representatives, it's become more aware of how some people would want to separate LBGTQ+ Fiction from the general collection. However, my library and I are not ones to do this. Our mission is to provide for "all" our patrons regardless of their background or identities. 

So, when it comes to having a separate section for LBGTQ+ fiction, I would say as one member: no. My first reason is, we do not want to segregate and indirectly discriminate those who read this type of fiction or relate to these books. If separate anything its only because we separate books from movies and such. 

If patrons want to be able to distinguish certain types of books, I would look at making special stickers that are rainbow in color if the budget is feasible. Its not an ideal situation, but with the label's others will know what they are picking up. However, I professionally and personally am not a huge fan of this idea. 

Secondly, if there were some nonfiction self-help books about dealing with a child or youth who relates to this group, parents will be able to have access to these materials. They would not feel like an outcast and they would also be able to see others in a similar situation seeing these materials. Making connections is something that happens naturally in the library, and we want to see people making those connections. 

Finally, we the idea of discovery. After consulting with my supervisor on this she had the idea of the isolation only hinders those active readers. This is why we do not necessarily label why types of books they are outside of general mystery and inspirational. Having them integrated within the collection will make them more likely to "stumble" across them and want to inquire rather than isolate and avoid. 

Comments

  1. Kelsey ReisdorphApril 13, 2023 at 5:34 PM

    Bre,
    I agree 100%. I like the idea of rainbow stickers but only if we could assume that people wouldn't discriminate against those materials, which we can't. So I guess I just like the idea of rainbow stickers in general. I floated the idea of only separating out LGBTQ materials for a Pride Month display, things like that.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Emma Q NordenApril 16, 2023 at 7:31 PM

    Bre,
    I love the idea of rainbow stickers! still easily identifiable, yet still blended with the collection for staff to be able to re-shelve their collection with ease. I wanted to separate my collection because I felt these books would benefit from being together to make our patrons aware they are present within the library, but I am suddenly feeling as though I am being bias, which is completely against what Librarians should do. Certainly food for thought.
    -Emma

    ReplyDelete

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