Libraries exist to meet the information, lifelong learning and leisure needs of all sections of the community, whether heterosexual, bisexual, gay or transgendered.
As no national census has ever asked people to define their sexual orientation, there is no hard data on the number of lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered (LGBT) people in the UK. The Government is using the figure of 5-7% of the population however (1), so it is essential that information professionals select stock that is relevant to the needs of their LGBT users.
The following guidance on stock selection is taken from CILIP’s Equal Opportunities Briefing on Sexual Orientations and Libraries, which was published in 2004. (2)
In purchasing stock for all types of libraries, staff should seek to reflect (as far as is possible) society as it is today. This means searching out material that may not be available via mainstream suppliers, and, as well as trying to reflect the makeup of the community it serves, it is vital that a library also reflects a wider community (for example, all libraries need to provide material reflecting the Black presence in the UK, even if their own communities are largely white).
Material about LGBT issues should be bought as part of that library stock. Provision should be made, where possible, for specific categories, for example disabled people or Black and ethnic minority people in relation to LGBT issues.
Written library stock policies should include the need for material relevant to the needs of LGBT people across all formats (for example, adult and children’s books, music recordings, large print, spoken word, videos, newspapers and periodicals), although publishing patterns may mean very little availability in some formats.
As with all other user groups, provision should aim to meet the particular information, learning and leisure needs of LGBT people of all ages and cultures. This will include, for example, information about local and national groups, supportive material on 'coming out' and both popular and literary fiction and non-fiction.
As noted above, mainstream suppliers may hold only limited relevant titles, and therefore care should be taken to make use of wider resources available via specialist bookshops/suppliers. Of course, general bookshops may also stock a good range of relevant material. When (re)negotiating contracts for the supply of library materials, consider ring-fencing some funding to be spent with more specialist suppliers.
Consideration should be given as to whether LGBT stock should form a separate collection, which brings all the stock together, or is interfiled in the main sequence.
There is not a right or wrong answer to this – it depends largely on the needs and wishes of the local community, and it would be worth including this in any consultation undertaken. A separate collection may deter some people from using it, but, on the other hand, interfiling will hide the stock.
Attention can be drawn to the existence of the stock through specific stock lists, regularly updated. At the same time, it is important to ensure that in any general promotions (eg a major reading promotion), relevant LGBT resources are included.
As in all areas of stock, material needs to be regularly reviewed for currency, usage and stock gaps, and consultation with local LGBT groups will help make holdings more relevant.
Promoting the library service in local media and publications popular with the LGBT community will assist in indicating that the library service is welcoming to all.
References
(1) Taken from the Stonewall website (accessed 15 April 2009). Please note that the data refers only to the UK lesbian, gay and bisexual population, not transgendered people.
(2) The legal information in CILIP’s Equal Opportunities Briefing on Sexual Orientation and Libraries has been superseded by the legislation discussed above, so the document has been withdrawn.
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