Building a GLBTQ Collection
Various "..studies all concluded that the library was the most important information source for GLBTQ people and that this group was seeking information about understanding their gay identities, coming out, learning gay social 'rules,' and where to connect with others like them” (Alexander and Miselis, 45).
For this reason, there is an undeniable need for developing quality fiction and nonfiction collections for GLBTQ teens. Fortunately, the publishing industry has experienced a veritable surge in the release of engaging , dynamic, and relevant GLBTQ titles for teens; a much wider selection than has existed at other point in history.
Subsequently, according to a 2012 article by Alexander Parks appearing in YALS, librarians can be thought of as "gatekeepers" of sorts for the teens in their libraries and school media centers.
Parks attests that “Because we work with adolescents on a daily basis and in many ways represent gatekeepers in terms of the immense diversity that exists in contemporary young adult literature, we have tremendous opportunities to tap into teens’ everyday lived experiences through literature” (Parks, 22).
Librarians are responsible for keeping up with new authors, works, and trends in young adult lit and for candidly imparting the value of these resources to GLBTQ youth (ibid, 22).
Promoting GLBTQ Resources
To this end, it is not just about collecting the materials, but about openly promoting them!! Librarians providing service to GLBTQ teens should promote GLBTQ resources in the library and on the library's website, Facebook page, or Twitter account - anywhere that they are certain to reach GLBTQ teens.
Please click upon this link to learn more about Recommended Titles/Thematic Booklists.
Click here for info on an impressive array of GLBTQ authors.
And here for some amaze sample booktalks you can use in your library today!!!
Selection Resources
Below you will find a some practical resources to turn to when developing your GLBTQ collections for teens.
GLBTQ Graphic Novel Collections
Comics and graphic novels represent a rich source for GLBTQ collecting; however, the highly visual nature of the materials may draw the attention of censors. (Greyson, 130).
A library’s graphic novel collection should strive to reflect the interests and literary tastes of the user community, just as any collection would. In regard to selecting GLBTQ comics and graphic novels, it is critical for the librarian to ensure that GLBTQ youth are characterized in a favorable way.
Govern graphic novel selection just as you would per your library’s selection policy, taking into account factors such as literary quality and popularity (ibid, 132).
In his article, "GLBTQ Content In Comics/Graphic Novels For Teens," Devon Greyson points out an inherent complication exists with graphic materials due to their high profile, visual nature, and as such “The double standard for written and visual media is really the crux of the mater. In creating or revising a graphic novel collection policy, it can be a struggle to adhere to ideals of intellectual freedom while at the same time avoiding charges of distributing pornography to minors” (ibd, 132).
Collecting Tips:
For this reason, there is an undeniable need for developing quality fiction and nonfiction collections for GLBTQ teens. Fortunately, the publishing industry has experienced a veritable surge in the release of engaging , dynamic, and relevant GLBTQ titles for teens; a much wider selection than has existed at other point in history.
Subsequently, according to a 2012 article by Alexander Parks appearing in YALS, librarians can be thought of as "gatekeepers" of sorts for the teens in their libraries and school media centers.
Parks attests that “Because we work with adolescents on a daily basis and in many ways represent gatekeepers in terms of the immense diversity that exists in contemporary young adult literature, we have tremendous opportunities to tap into teens’ everyday lived experiences through literature” (Parks, 22).
Librarians are responsible for keeping up with new authors, works, and trends in young adult lit and for candidly imparting the value of these resources to GLBTQ youth (ibid, 22).
Promoting GLBTQ Resources
To this end, it is not just about collecting the materials, but about openly promoting them!! Librarians providing service to GLBTQ teens should promote GLBTQ resources in the library and on the library's website, Facebook page, or Twitter account - anywhere that they are certain to reach GLBTQ teens.
Please click upon this link to learn more about Recommended Titles/Thematic Booklists.
Click here for info on an impressive array of GLBTQ authors.
And here for some amaze sample booktalks you can use in your library today!!!
Selection Resources
Below you will find a some practical resources to turn to when developing your GLBTQ collections for teens.
- Professional Reviews in trusted publications such as VOYA, School Library Journal, Booklist, and Publisher's Weekly
- Various awards celebrate excellence in GLBTQ literature for teens including: Lambda Literary Foundation Awards, http://www.lambdaliterary.org/, Stonewall Awards, http://www.ala.org/glbtrt/award, and Rainbow Project,
http://glbtrt.ala.org/rainbowbooks/
- Books: Interrupting Hate: Homophobia in Schools and What Literacy Can Do About It by Mollie V. Blackburn (2012); Serving Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Teens: A How-to-do-it Manual for Librarians by Hillias J. Martin, Jr. and James R. Murdock (2007); and Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Teen Literature: A Guide to Reading Interests by Carlisle K. Webber (2010).
- Websites: I'm Here, I'm Queer, What the Hell do I Read, http://www.leewind.org/; QueerYA: Reviews of Fiction of Interest to LGBTQ Teens, http://daisyporter.org/queerya/; and GayYA, www.gayya.org
GLBTQ Graphic Novel Collections
Comics and graphic novels represent a rich source for GLBTQ collecting; however, the highly visual nature of the materials may draw the attention of censors. (Greyson, 130).
A library’s graphic novel collection should strive to reflect the interests and literary tastes of the user community, just as any collection would. In regard to selecting GLBTQ comics and graphic novels, it is critical for the librarian to ensure that GLBTQ youth are characterized in a favorable way.
Govern graphic novel selection just as you would per your library’s selection policy, taking into account factors such as literary quality and popularity (ibid, 132).
In his article, "GLBTQ Content In Comics/Graphic Novels For Teens," Devon Greyson points out an inherent complication exists with graphic materials due to their high profile, visual nature, and as such “The double standard for written and visual media is really the crux of the mater. In creating or revising a graphic novel collection policy, it can be a struggle to adhere to ideals of intellectual freedom while at the same time avoiding charges of distributing pornography to minors” (ibd, 132).
Collecting Tips:
- Rely heavily upon reputable distributors and reviews (VOYA reviews Graphic Novels 3x/year, Publisher's Weekly reviews "Comics" 4x/year, and Library Journal, Booklist, and School Library Journal also frequently review graphic novels.
- Check out review website No Flying Tights which is updated daily with graphic novels reviews, searchable by age range.
- Other sources for reco's include colleagues, local bookstores or comic shops, word of mouth, and of course teens themselves!
Sources:
Alexander, Linda B., and Sarah D. Miselis. "Barriers To GLBTQ Collection Development And Strategies For Overcoming Them."
Young Adult Library Services 5.3 (2007): 43-49. Web. 2 Nov. 2012.
Greyson, Devon. "GLBTQ Content In Comics/Graphic Novels For Teens." Collection Building 26.4 (2007): 130-134.
Web. 17 Oct. 2012.
Parks, Alexander F. "Opening The Gate." Young Adult Library Services 10.4 (2012): 22-27. Web. 2 Nov. 2012.
Alexander, Linda B., and Sarah D. Miselis. "Barriers To GLBTQ Collection Development And Strategies For Overcoming Them."
Young Adult Library Services 5.3 (2007): 43-49. Web. 2 Nov. 2012.
Greyson, Devon. "GLBTQ Content In Comics/Graphic Novels For Teens." Collection Building 26.4 (2007): 130-134.
Web. 17 Oct. 2012.
Parks, Alexander F. "Opening The Gate." Young Adult Library Services 10.4 (2012): 22-27. Web. 2 Nov. 2012.