Queering the Library:
Including LGBTQ Information

QUEERING YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY

They Won't Know Unless You Ask

Libraries often build their collections from donations and spend their limited money to add items they feel will be circulated in the local community in which they work. Librarians don't often think of LGBTQ people as an underserved population, so we have to take intiative and ask for more LGBTQ resources to be added to the library. Be prepared to explain how these resources can be an asset to the whole community the library serves. If you are a librarian, work with your colleagues to find funding sources and help to choose LGBTQ titles that will be beneficial.

Worst case = they say no. Best case = they say YES!

Inter-Library Loan is Your Friend

If your library doesn't have a book you need, all is not lost!

Many libraries are part of an inter-library loan (ILL) program in which libraries share resources and will let a patron at another library check out a book in their collection. Inter-library loan requests often take awhile to be received (depending on the distance between the lending and borrowing libraries) and ILL requests cost the borrowing library money. Therefore, if patrons are beginning to request a large number of LGBTQ books through ILL, it may be a sign that perhaps the library should look into owning these titles. If not, at least you can still get the books you want for free!

Hold a Queer Book Drive

Many times, a library just doesn't have the budget to purchase all of the books needed for the community. Donate items yourself by holding a queer book drive in your community! Know of a gender studies professor with a shelf of items that they aren't using? Are there LGBTQ books on sale online for under $5 that you could buy and share? Is there an LGBTQ community center that might have a small library and would be willing to partner with a larger library to share resources? There could be resources right under your nose!

Organize Queer Programming

Many libraries might not realize that there is a queer community in the area. Ask the library for meeting space for your LGBTQ group! You can also partner with the library to put on an exhibit for National Coming Out Day or to host a book signing by an LGBTQ author. This will bring positive visibility to the queer community and establish an ongoing relationship with the library and other community groups.