At the Outset - Evaluating what GLBTQ teens want from the library
Making it Work - Evaluating Library Service to GLBTQ teens
Unfortunately, it seems fairly evident that librarians can do a lot better job in terms of providing quality services to the vulnerable population of GLBTQ teens.
The following information represents questions librarians should ask themselves when evaluating library collections, spaces, services to GLBTQ teens.
Source:
Martin Jr., Hillias J. and James R. Murdock. Serving Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Teens: A How-to-do-
it-Manual for Librarians. New York: Neal Schulman Publishers, Inc., 2007. Print.
- To identify the information needs of GLBTQ teens in your community, conduct written surveys, approach the topic with teens in the library, and raise the issue during Teen Advisory Board meetings.
- Anonymous surveys may work best for this user group, as many GLBTQ teens may not feel comfortable openly discussing the topic. Make the surveys available at the library and on the library's website.
- The survey can be as open-ended or detailed as you see fit. Make sure to publicize the survey with flyers in and outside of the library and on the library's Facebook page and Twitter account in order to ensure a generous sample size.
- Hillias J. Martin's and James R. Murdock's Serving Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Teens: A How-to-do-it Manual f0r Librarians, offers many insightful tips for designing a survey to address teens' GLBTQ information needs
They advise "When designing your survey, you might want to include questions similar to the following: - Do teens see the library as a source of information about sexuality and sexual identity?
- What information are teens looking for in the library?
- Do teens see the library as a safe place to ask for help with their questions about sexuality?
- Do teens generally perceive the library as a safe place to hang out?
- What do teens want from books, as opposed to other sources?
- How can the library better help queer teens in their search for information?
- How can the library help teens feel more secure using online resources?" (Martin and Murdock, 20).
- Other potential questions include: having teens name their favorite GLBTQ authors/titles inclusive of non-print items, whether they prefer fiction or nonfiction GLBTQ materials, and whether they need help in reaching out to community and online resources (ibid, 20).
Making it Work - Evaluating Library Service to GLBTQ teens
Unfortunately, it seems fairly evident that librarians can do a lot better job in terms of providing quality services to the vulnerable population of GLBTQ teens.
The following information represents questions librarians should ask themselves when evaluating library collections, spaces, services to GLBTQ teens.
- Does your library's collection development policy include a clause that ensures the library's collection will represent the diverse sexualities of the community? If not, encourage community members and teens to voice their support to library administration for adding such a clause.
- Inventory your YA collection and identify the proportion of GLBTQ materials vs. non-GLBTQ materials. Further examine the GLBTQ materials to see if a diverse assortment of gender/sexual identities are represented. Does your collection also include works featuring GLBTQ youth of color?
- Does your collection offer representations of real GLBTQ people? Do you have both fiction and nonfiction materials? What about various formats: graphic novels, films, TV shows, music, etc.
- What sources do you utilize to select GLBTQ-themed materials? Do you use professional journals as well as popular sources? Recommendations of patrons?
- How up-to-date is your GLBTQ collection? Who identifies new titles to add to the collection?
- How visible are GLBTQ materials in the library, are they displayed and how frequently? Are they fully and properly cataloged and accessible to users? Are there images of GLBTQ individuals in your library?
- Does your library provide resources and contact information for local and national GLBTQ-friendly community groups? Is this information clearly linked on your library's webpage?
- Do you design programs specifically for GLBTQ youth, and solicit input from attendees and potential attendees? Post an anonymous survey online, put out a suggestion box, and speak candidly to teens.
- Do you invite GLBTQ presenters to the library and collaborate with local GLBTQ organizations such as local GSA and PFLAG chapters?
- Do patrons feel comfortable borrowing GLBTQ materials and asking questions about GLBTQ-themed topics?
- Are teens "out" in the library? Do they feel comfortable and safe expressing their sexuality and gender? How often do you hear homophobic language and slurs? How do you deal with these instances?
- How does your library protect GLBTQ teens' right to privacy?
- Do you promote GLBTQ materials to teens, and engage often with the community's GLBTQ youth? Do you actively seek out this user population?
- Do GLBTQ teens feel like they have a say in what happens at the library? Can they meet with their peers in the library to focus upon issues which they deem important? Does your library sponsor a GSA or offer library space to the school's chapter?
Source:
Martin Jr., Hillias J. and James R. Murdock. Serving Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Teens: A How-to-do-
it-Manual for Librarians. New York: Neal Schulman Publishers, Inc., 2007. Print.