LGBTQIA

Needs Assessment
Westerville Public Library



Practicum Project
Gena Smith

2018








Overview
In consultation with Kaya Burgin, we have defined the scope of this practicum project as the
identification of an underserved population in the WPL service area, paired with a holistic needs
assessment and proposal for practical solutions to identified gaps.

LGBT+ Community
Gallup Poll results indicate that roughly 5% of Columbus residents openly identify as part of the
LGBT+ community (~50,000 people total), outranking New York City, Chicago and Miami. It is
estimated that, when including closeted individuals, the LGBT population may actually be as high
as 10%. However, due to the exclusion of sexuality and gender identity on the US Census, as well
as social stigmas which inhibit many from ‘coming out’, this number cannot be confirmed; the
following statistics are among only those who self-report* (The Williams Institute, 2018):
• Gender Identity (Fig. 1)
o Male: 47%
o Female: 53%
• Raising children: 17% (Fig. 2)
• Non-white: 28% (Fig. 3)
• Average age: 42 (Fig. 4)
o 53% are older than 40 (14% older than 65)
• General Statistic (Fig. 5)
o Unemployed: 6% (twice the rate of the non-LGBT population)
o Uninsured: 16%
o Earning at or below $24k/year: 40%
*See Appendix A, Figures 1-5 for corresponding graphs.
The State of Ohio does not provide any legal recourse or protection, nor does it legally prohibit
discrimination based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity regarding the following:
• Housing
• Employment
• Hate Crimes
• Public Accommodations
• School Anti-Bullying
• Transgender Healthcare
(The Human Rights Campaign, 2018)
The State of Ohio does not prohibit—and has placed no legal restrictions on—the use and the
administering of what is commonly known as “Conversion Therapy.”
Adult Collection
The Westerville Public Library’s online LGBTQIA subject guide
(westervillelibrary.org/lgbtqia) highlights three booklists: The
Stonewall Book Awards, ALA’s Rainbow Book List, and the
LAMBDA Literary Awards. From 2012 to 2016/17, roughly 109 of
these award winners fell under the “Adult” audience, which was
the main focus for this evaluation. Of these 109 titles, 57 (52%)
are owned as a physical book, audio book, or digitally as an e-
book or an e-audio book.

Of those award-winning titles owned by the library, 16 (28%)
were appropriately linked as falling under their corresponding
award category. After this assessment, community tags were
added where necessary to each individual item so that they now
appear when their respective award terms (“stonewall awards,” etc.) are utilized in the keyword
search feature.

Adult Librarian Allison DeVito will be monitoring the LGBT booklists and updating community
tags for new items as they are purchased in order to maintain the Awards Lists in the catalog.

Of the 57 titles owned by the library, one title is offered physically as a Large Print book, while
one title is also offered as a physical audiobook. The large print and audio book holdings may be
a figure to keep in mind in the future, as we estimate that more than half of LGBT residents are
over the age of forty, while nearly 15% are over the age of sixty-five; a demographic expected to
be more interested in the availability of both physical audio and large print materials. However,
due to the somewhat limited availability of large print items (as well as physical audio books) and
the window in which they are available to be purchased, obtaining them can be challenging.
Belinda is aware of the needs regarding LGBT-focused items—including large print and
audiobooks—and is consistently exploring various sources in order to fill that collection area.

Staff should remain purposeful in their purchase requests of titles pertinent to the LGBT
community (titles must be no older than 2 years to be considered).

See Appendix B for the list of adult award winners and holdings.


Passive Literature
After discussing the potential need for LGBT+ passive literature and patron guidance on the
location of sensitive subjects they may be uncomfortable vocalizing to staff, several ideas
emerged for how to best fill this needs gap. The focus of the passive literature was to remain
succinct, discrete, and convenient. In consultation with Dr. Suzanne Ashworth (See below:
Community Members as Resources), she strongly advocated for the distribution of physical
literature in relation to this topic and community:

“Yes, yes, yes to your question about both virtual and hard copy info. I think it's important to have
both print and on line materials. Given different demographics, hierarchies of privilege that can
impact how people access information, as well as how closeted an individual might be.”

Items created:
• LGBT+ read-a-like card featuring both LGBT authors, as well as works which depict LGBT
topics and are available in the Westerville collection.
• “Tough Topics” signage to display throughout the stacks in an effort to direct patrons
toward general areas of the collection where they might find books on abortion, sexuality,
abuse, and other subjects which they may feel hesitant to ask for directly (this can also
be formatted as a bookmark, flier, poster, etc.).
• LGBT+ Adult Resource & LGBT+ Teen Resource cards
o These include ‘quick’ information on community resources which work directly
with the LGBT community, national hotline numbers, Dewey locations, etc. with
each card—adult and teen—tailored to more appropriately fit their audience.


Programming
When evaluating previous adult programs within the Evanced archive, no results were returned
when searching for the terms LGBT, queer, gay, gender, or sexuality. The search spanned all adult
and general audiences, and looked at programs from 2016 to present. Staff discussions supported
this, by reporting little to no memory of adult-centered LGBT programming.

Author Visits
• Self-Identified LGBT authors: Jacqueline Woodson, Karin Slaughter, Piper Kerman
(3/26, or 11%) This number exceeds the gay/straight ratio of the community, and could
only be furthered by authors who not only identify as LGBT but also whose works center
strongly on LGBT characters, subjects and relationships.
 The considerations made in the selection of an author are highly detailed and are
comprised of multi-layer concerns such as community interest, cost, timing, previous
engagements in the area and relevance (such as coinciding book tours, movie releases,
etc.). In an effort to continue inclusivity in author selection, staff should remain diligent
and purposeful in their author suggestions when sought for input.

Potential Resources / General Adult Programing
• ALA’s GLBT Round Table suggests celebrating the following:
o March 31st – International Transgender Day of Visibility
o June – GLBT Book Month (ala.org/GLBTBookMonth)
o October – LGBT History Month
o October 11th – National Coming Out Day
o November 20th – Transgender Day of Remembrance
o December 1st – World AIDS Day
• Potential programming may involve screening LGBT-friendly/themed films, LGBT book
displays, LGBT speakers, social media recognition of historic events throughout the LGBT
Rights movement, panel discussions and workshops regarding LGBT-family dynamics.
• Lana Moore
glaad.org/about/board/lanamoore
Lana Moore served as the Captain of the Columbus Division of Fire before openly
transitioning from male to female in 2008. In 2011 she became the first trans person to
serve as chairperson for the board of trustees at the North Congregational United Church
of Christ in Columbus, and currently serves as a mentor for human trafficking survivors.
Lana is a member of the ACLU Ohio TransAction committee, a board member of BRAVO,
and serves on the board of directors of GLAAD. Lana’s broad expertise and involvement
in many trans-related initiatives makes her an ideal resource to speak on LGBT issues.
Lana has agreed to tell her story (or speak on a variety of other issues related to her field
of experience) and assist with library programming in that capacity. Lana lives in
Westerville, OH and can be reached at northmoor19@gmail.com.
• ACLU Ohio
action.aclu.org/webform/speaker-request-ohio
“The ACLU of Ohio’s Speakers’ Bureau provides speakers to over one hundred community
groups, schools, and professional organizations across the state each year. Our speakers
are members of the ACLU staff and board of directors, faculty at law schools and
universities, and other civil liberties experts and activists.”
o Topics range from the intersection of LGBT and Religious Liberty, Transgender Civil
Liberties, LGBT Rights, Anti-Discrimination/Anti-Bullying, and more.
Facilities
In a survey of libraries in the surrounding area (including CML locations, Marysville, Worthington
and Delaware) all libraries but one (Delaware’s main library) provided changing stations in
bathrooms designated for men. Molly Labadie, the deputy director of Delaware, indicated that
adding a changing station to their men’s bathroom at their main location is a priority which they
will be investigating shortly.

Westerville currently provides changing stations in the women’s restrooms, family bathroom,
and the lower level men’s bathroom. The men’s bathroom located on the upper level of the
library does not provide a changing station.

Based on precedent set by surrounding libraries, Public Law 114, the needs of male parents (both
cis- and trans-gendered) and staff anecdotes of male patrons in need of a nearby changing station
while on the upper level of the library, a request has now been made to maintenance, by Erin
Kelsey, to install a wall-mounted changing station in the upstairs men’s restroom, as well as an
updated changing station in the upstairs women’s restroom to replace the current, free
standing station.


Training Resources
Self-Reflection
• Dealing with Homophobia (Appendix C)
lgbtrc.usc.edu/files/2015/05/Dealing-with-Homophobia.pdf
This document asks a series of questions designed to help the reader identify internalized
homophobia that they may have. Some questions also offer ways in which homophobic
situations may be better handled and asks you to consider them.

Webinars*
• University of Maryland
o LGBTQ+ Terminology and Concepts
youtu.be/reAbNBsRnUQ
This webinar addresses baseline terminology and concepts related to sexual
orientation and gender identity and expression, and assist participants in applying
this knowledge to fundamental behaviors that promote LGBTQ+ inclusion.


 o Trans Inclusive Language and Practices
youtu.be/Xu28Si61yVE
This webinar looks at personal pronouns - why they matter; how to use, share, and
understand them. Also addressed is best practices for transgender inclusion.
o LGBTQ+ People of Color and Intersectionality
youtu.be/CpI37x76RI4
This webinar addresses the necessity of racial justice as a component of inclusion
and the challenges LGBT+ people of color face in relation power and privilege.
• ALA’s Office of Intellectual Freedom
o Safeguard Against Censorship of GLBT Books
youtu.be/LOnyaR8nRvc
Discussed in this webinar is the significance of GLBT Book Month for librarians, as
well as many of the resources ALA’s GLBT-RT has created to support diverse
collections and services.
* All of the webinars listed are approved for OLC credit in order to attain or renew certification.

Group Training / In-Service Possibilities
• Kaleidoscope Youth Center (kycohio.org)
Programming Assistant: Chanel Edwards | chanel@kycohio.org | 614-933-4115
LGBT+ Sensitivity/Diversity Training
KYC is equipped and willing to offer tailored LGBT+ training for the Westerville PL staff
upon request. Training typically begins with the importance of pronouns, “LGBT+ 101,”
how to be an ally to the LGBT+ community, and how to approach sensitive matters and
best welcome/serve this group. The end of the training allows time for questions and
open discussion. Training can be done in small groups, on site at the library.
Duration of training: ~60 minutes (available M-F, 9am-2pm)

Otterbein as a Resource
Suzanne Ashworth
sashworth@otterbein.edu
Dr. Ashworth is an associate professor of English at Otterbein University whose research centers
on LGBT Literatures, gender and sexuality, the human body and identity. She is also a faculty
liaison for FreeZone!, Otterbein University’s LGBT alliance. Dr. Ashworth has agreed to serve as
a contact resource for any continued LGBT initiatives at the library, offering her expertise and
feedback on the existing LGBTQIA Subject Guide, physical literature, any related questions, etc.
(She prefers to be contacted during Summer months, if possible.)
Practical Tips to Use Starting Today
(From ALA’s GLBT-RT “Open to All” Toolkit and nclrights.org)

• Do you tend to use gendered titles (Sir or Ma’am)? Addressing library users by name (if
known) could do wonders in making a trans patron feel welcome.
• Look at policies respecting library users’ choice to change the name on their record. Make
policies that offer library users control over their identity at the library.
• When talking to children, ask if an adult is with them. Not every child (not just those of
same-sex parents) has a mother and father. Doing this allows children to respond how
they are comfortable and lets parents know you are sensitive to a variety of families.
• Avoid asking for gender on forms or dividing activities by gender.
• Create pathfinders, subject guides and bookmarks etc. related to topics of LGBT interest.
• Include LGBT books in displays, book talks and general readers’ advisory.
• Keep conscious efforts in hiring practices to welcome the inclusion of LGBT staff.
• Become comfortable with LGBT issues and topics, and remain mindful to not respond with
shock or surprise if and when someone comes out.
• Be aware of assumptions you make and challenge yourself to avoid them; rather than “do
you have a boyfriend?” you might ask, “are you in a relationship?”

Continued Reading
Pew Research Center’s 2017 Top Findings of LGBT Americans
pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/06/13/5-key-findings-about-lgbt-americans/
Anna Brown of Pew Research discusses recent findings regarding the growth in acceptance of
LGBT people, the ratio of bisexuals in the LGBT community and their likelihood to be ‘out,’ as well
as notable demographic differences in which groups openly identify as LGBT.

The GLBT-RT Toolkit: “Open to All: Serving the GLBT Community in your Library”
ala.org/rt/sites/ala.org.rt/files/content/professionaltools/160309-glbtrt-open-to-all-toolkit-
online.pdf
This Toolkit is designed to help library staff better understand gay, lesbian, bisexual and
transgender library users, how to best serve their needs, and how to handle common challenges.

Gallup Results Tracking Public Feelings on LGBT Rights
news.gallup.com/poll/1651/gay-lesbian-rights.aspx
Gallup provides a look at respondents’ answers over the years in regards to gay and lesbian rights.
One third of Americans still feel that to be LGBT is morally wrong.
 Appendix A | LGBT+ Local Population Statistics

Sexual Identity (Fig. 1) Families (Fig. 2) Race (Fig. 3)

Male Female Raising Children No Children

Age Ranges of LGBT+ (Fig. 4)

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%
Age 18-24 Age 25-39 Age 40-59 Age 65+

Non LGBT LGBT White Black

Hispanic Other

General Statistics (Fig. 5)

Unemployed

Insured

College Ed.

Income <24k

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Non LGBT LGBT

 Appendix B | Collection Assessment of LGBT Award Winner Holdings
B: Book Items marked in green are currently owned by the library it the format corresponding
eB: eBook to its column. Items in gray are not owned in that format.
A: Audiobook
eA: eAudiobook All items owned but not linked, according to this chart, have now been appropriately
LP: Large print linked in the catalog using community tags.

Stonewall Book Awards (adult-focused)
ala.org/rt/glbtrt/award/stonewall/honored
B eB A eA LP Linked
Desert Boys
How to Survive a Plague
Beautiful Gravity
Dig
Guapa
Hide
Not Straight, Not White
One-Man Show
Rethinking Sexism, Gender, and Sexuality
Tomboy Survival Guide
The Gods of Tango
Speak Now: Marriage Equality on Trial
Apocalypse Baby
For Your Own Good
Jam on the Vine
Lum: A Novel
Becoming Nicole
The Gay Revolution
Marie Equi: Radical Politics and Outlaw Passions
Violence Against Queer People
Prelude to a Bruise
Living Out Islam
Bitter Eden
Frog Music
The Two Hotel Francforts
My Real Children
Gay Berlin
Redefining Realness
Hold Tight Gently
Charity & Sylvia
Art on Fire
American Honor Killings
Raising my Rainbow
A Strange and Separate People
Everything Begins and Ends at the Kentucky Club
The Rebellion of Miss Lucy Ann Lobdell
A Little Gay History: Desire and Diversity Across…
Fairyland: A Memoir of my Father
The Last Nude
For Colored Boys Who Have Considered Suicide…
The Absolutist
The Song of Achilles
Chulito
The Unreal Life of Sergey Nabokov
Eminent Outlaws: The Gay Writers Who…
When We Were Outlaws
Why are Faggots so Afraid of Faggots?
Why be Happy When You Could be Normal?
Sweet Like Sugar

Hide/Seek: Difference in Desire in American…
A Queer History of the United States
The Temperamentals: A New Play
Remembrance of Things I Forgot
Annabel: A Novel
Nina Here Nor There
The Picture of Dorian Gray: An Annotated, Uncensored…
Beyond Magenta
Branded by the Pink Triangle

ALA Rainbow Book List (adult-focused only) ala rainbow book list
glbtrt.ala.org/rainbowbooks/rainbow-books-lists
B eB A eA LP Linked
Dear Bully: Seventy Authors Tell Their Stories
It Gets Better
Happy Accidents
Gay in America: Portraits
When We Were Outlaws
Oddly Normal
My Two Moms
Rapture practice
Some Assembly Required
We Are the Youth: Sharing the Stories of LGBT Youth…
Rethinking Normal
Beyond Magenta
Breakthrough
Saving Alex
Being Jazz: My Life as a (Transgender) Teen
The V-Word
Every Heart a Doorway

LAMBDA Awards (2016 adult-focused only)
lambdaliterary.org/the-2016-lambda-literary-award-winners

B eB A eA LP Linked
Under the Udala Trees
God in Pink
The Life and Death of Sophie Stark
Irrepressible: The Jazz Age Life of Henrietta Bingham
Tiny Pieces of Skull, or a Lesson in Manners
A Love Like blood
No One Helped: Kitty Genovese, New York City, and the Myth…
Born on the Edge of Race and Gender
Life in a Box is a Pretty Life
Crevasse
Reconnaissance
succubus in my pocket
Ordinary Mayhem
Tarnished Gold
Boystown 7: Bloodlines
Objects in Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear
James Merrill: Life and Art
Making A Comeback
The Muse
Beyond: The Queer Sci-Fi & Fantasy Comic Anthology
Glitter and Grit: Queer Performance from the Heels…
Bright Half Life
The Gracekeepers
A Taste for Brown Bodies: Gay Modernity and…
 Appendix C | Dealing with Homophobia

Via the University of Southern California’s LGBT Resource Center

Heterosexism is so deeply ingrained in our society we often hardly even notice it. The questions
below were put together to help in that awareness and to give you ideas about things you can
do to be supportive of lesbians and gay men. These questions are useful both for heterosexual
and LGBT audiences to look at internalized homophobia.

• Do you laugh at jokes whose humor depends upon stereotypes (usually negative) of lesbians,
gay men or bisexual people? Do you tell these jokes in the workplace? If coworkers make a
humorous remark based on a stereotype, do you point that out or do you just laugh?
• Do you use dehumanizing slang: for example, homos, fags, pansies, dykes? Note that queer is
seen differently by various sub communities. Some want to reclaim queer as an inclusive word for
lesbian, gay, bi and trans people. Others find it as offensive as those in the list above.
• When you hear of someone being fired or denied promotion or tenure (or limited in any way)
because of the person's sexual orientation, do you speak out against that decision and offer your
help to the person involved?
• Are you consciously aware of the group you are generalizing about? For example, when you say
"people," do you really mean everyone? When you say "women," do you mean hetero women?
• Do you assume that when someone speaks in support of LGBT issues, that person is homosexual?
• Do you identify yourself as heterosexual (or let yourself be assumed so) when homosexuality is a
topic of discussion or when confronting people about derogatory remarks? Why? Will you risk
making mistakes in what you say about homosexuality, without simultaneously justifying that
mistake by stating your heterosexuality?
• Do you respond to newspapers & other media or political administrations which put down
lesbians, gay men, bisexuals or transgender people?
• Do you participate in altering city ordinances or other laws which limit the freedom of lesbians,
gay men & bisexuals? Do you participate in acquisition of civil rights in employment, housing,
public accommodations, insurance, credit, education, etc. for lesbians, gay men & bisexuals? Do
you protest harassment on the basis of sexual orientation by law enforcement officials?
• When speaking of couples, do you include gay and lesbian couples?
• Do you assume the person you are speaking to is heterosexual? For example, do you say, "Do you
have a girlfriend/boyfriend?" rather than, "Do you have a spouse/partner?"
• Do you respect the need for secrecy of persons you know to be gay, lesbian or bisexual? If
someone asks you whether or not Jane Doe is a lesbian, do you say, "You should ask her," even
when you know her to be heterosexual? or bisexual? or lesbian?
• When speaking to peers about sexuality, do you present homo and heterosexuality as equally
valid orientations? Do you press other adults to do the same?




Looking for a tough topic?
Abortion 363.46
Birth Control 613.94
Cancer 616.99
Child Abuse 362.76
Depression 616.85
Divorce 306.89
Domestic Violence 362.82
Drug Addiction 362.29
Eating Disorders 616.8526
Elder Issues 362.6
Finances 332.024
Grieving 155.937
HIV 616.9792
Immigration 323.623
LGBTQ+ 306.76
Mental Illness 616.8
Pregnancy 612.63
Rape & Sexual Assault 362.88
STDs & STIs 616.95
Suicide 362.28

 LGBTQIA Community Resources LGBTQIA Teen Resources
www.westervillelibrary.org/lgbtqia http://www.westervillelibrary.org/lgbtqia





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7cups.com stonewallcolumbus.org bravo-ohio.org huckhouse.org
BRAVO STONEWALL ACLU OHIO OUT & EQUAL
bravo-ohio.org stonewallcolumbus.org acluohio.org outandequal.org




FAMILY PRIDE NETWORK BI LOCAL EQUALITY OHIO TREVOR SPACE AVEN KYC ACLU OHIO
familypridenetwork.org bilocal614.org equalityohio.org trevorspace.org asexuality.org kycohio.org acluohio.org




SUBJECT..............................................................................DEWEY SUBJECT..............................................................................DEWEY
LGBTQ+ ....................................................................................306.76 LGBTQ+ ....................................................................................306.76
SEXUALITY...............................................................................613.907 SEXUALITY...............................................................................613.907
CIVIL RIGHTS..................................................................................323 CIVIL RIGHTS..................................................................................323
LAW...............................................................................................346 LAW...............................................................................................346
Remember, your librarians are here to help. Remember, your librarians are here to help.

Experiencing a crisis? Experiencing a crisis?
National Suicide Hotline.....................1-800-273-8255 National Suicide Hotline...................1-800-273-8255
National Runaway Safeline...............1-800-RUNAWAY Trevor Project...................................1-866-488-7386
Ohio HIV/STI Hotline..........................1-800-332-2437 National Runaway Safeline.............1-800-RUNAWAY
LGBT National Hotline........................1-888-843-4564 Ohio HIV/STI Hotline........................1-800-332-2437
Sage LGBT Elder Hotline.....................1-888-243-7243 LGBT National Youth Hot........line: 1-800-446-PRIDE
In the case of an emergency call 911 In the case of an emergency call 911

 Safety Tips for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex
(LGBTQI), and HIV-Affected Communities
You deserve to be safe. No one deserves to experience violence, whether from a stranger, acquaintance,
friend, or lover. You have the right to safety and support!

Going Out
• Trust your gut – If you feel threatened or unsafe, trust your instincts and remove yourself from the
situation as quickly as possible
• Leave a trail – Let someone you trust know your fabulous plans, including if you hook up with
someone, where you’re going and how long. If you decide to leave a note, make sure this trusted
person knows where you’ve left it.
• Take a buddy – when heading to and leaving your destination or waiting for transportation.
• Look alert – If you don’t have a travel buddy, stay alert, look alert, and stick near other people when
walking or waiting for transportation.
• Watch your drink – Or buy your own, just make sure the only person mixing something into it is the
bartender.
• Know your limits – If you’re planning on using substances, including alcohol, decide how much and try
to stick to it.
• Be aware of surroundings – Locate 24 hour establishments to seek help if you feel unsafe. Move
towards a “safer place,” like a more public space if you feel unsafe.

Asserting Your Boundaries

• Your boundaries are beautiful – You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do. “No” is a
complete sentence!
• Use words – Alert bystanders and frighten (not anger) an assailant.
• State, don’t ask – Your boundaries are your right; you don’t have to ask for them.
• Be direct – and assertive in your communication.
• Use body language – to show that you are serious, including eye contact.

Get support. If you or someone you know experiences violence or harassment, contact a local anti-violence
program for support and to document this violence.

These tips are suggestions for staying safer. If you experience violence it is not your fault, whether you follow
these tips or not. BRAVO and other members of the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP)
brought these tips to you. If you, or someone you know, is in need of any assistance, visit www.bravo-ohio.org
or contact info@bravo-ohio.org.

BRAVO is a founding member of:

 53.1.15

At the 2008 ALA Annual Conference, upon recommendation by the Council Intellectual
Freedom Committee, the ALA Council adopted the following revision to ALA Policy 53.1. 15

53.1.15

The American Library Association stringentl y and unequivocally maintains that libraries and
librarians have an obligation to resist efforts that systematically exclude materials dealing with
any subject matter, including sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation. The Association also
encourages librarians to proactively support the First Amendment rights of all library users,
regardless of sex, gender identity, or sex ual orientation. Adopted 1993, amended 2000, 2004,
2008.

(See "Current Reference File": Access to Library Resources and Services Regardless of Sex ,
Gender Identity, or Sexual Orientation: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights: revised,
2007-2008 ALA CD#19.2.)

Note: Th e Intellectual Freedom Committee (IFC) saw no need to change th e existing text of the
above abstract when it revised the attached interp retation 2008 Annual Conference.
 ALA CD # 19.2

Access to Library Resources and Services Regardless of Sex, Gender

Identity, Gender Expression, or Sexual Orientation

An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights

American libraries exist and function within the context of a body of laws derived from the
United States Constitution, including the First Amendment. The Library Bill of Rights embodies
the basic policies that guide libraries in the provision of services, materials, and programs.

In the preamble to its Library Bill of Rights, the American Library Association affirms that all
libraries are forums for information and ideas. This concept offarum and its accompanying
principle of inclusiveness pervade all six Articles of the Library Bill ofRights.

The American Library Association stringently and unequivocally maintains that libraries and
librarians have an obligation to resist efforts that systematically exclude materials dealing with
any subject matter, including sex, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation:

• Article I of the Library Bill of Rights states that "Materials should not be excluded
because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation." The
Association affirms that books and other materials corning from gay, lesbian, bisexual,
and/or transgendered presses; gay, lesbian, bisexual and/or transgendered authors or other
creators; and materials regardless of format or services dealing with gay, lesbian, bisexual
and/or transgendered life are protected by the Library Bill ofRights. Librarians are
obligated by the Library Bill of Rights to endeavor to select materials without regard to
the sex, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation of their creators by
using the criteria identified in their written, approved selection policies (ALA policy
53.1.5).

• Article II maintains that "Libraries should provide materials and infonnation presenting
all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or
removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval." Library services, materials, and
programs representing diverse points of view on sex, gender identity, gender expression,
or sexual orientation should be considered for purchase and inclusion in library
collections and programs. (ALA policies 53.1.1, 53 .1.9, and 53 .1.\ 1). The Association
affirms that attempts to proscribe or remove materials dealing with gay, lesbian, bisexual,
and/or transgendered life without regard to the written, approved selection policy violate
this tenet and constitute censorship.

• Articles III and IV mandate that libraries "challenge censorship" and cooperate with those
"resisting abridgement of free expression and free access to ideas."

• Article V holds that "A person's right to use a library should not be denied or abridged
because of origin, age, background or views." In the Library Bill ofRights and all its
Interpretations, it is intended that: "origin" encompasses all the characteristics of
individuals that are inherent in the circumstances of their birth; "age" encompasses all the
characteristics of individuals that are inherent in their levels of development and
J
ALA CD # 19.2

maturity; "background" encompasses all the characteristics of individuals that are a result
of their life experiences; and "views" encompasses all the opinions and beliefs held and
expressed by individuals. Therefore, Article V of the Library Bill of Rights mandates that
library services, materials, and programs be available to all members of the community
the library serves, without regard to sex, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual
orientation. This includes providing youth with comprehensive sex education literature
(ALA Policv 52.5 .2).

• Article VI maintains that "Libraries which make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms
available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable
basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their
use." This protection extends to all groups and members of the community the library
serves, without regard to sex, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation.

The American Library Association holds that any attempt, be it legal or extra-legal, to regulate or
suppress library services, materials, or programs must be resisted in order that protected
expression is not abridged. Librarians have a professional obligation to ensure that all library
users have free and equal access to the entire range oflibrary services, materials, and programs.
Therefore, the Association strongly opposes any effort to limit access to information and ideas.
The Association also encourages librarians to proactively support the First Amendment rights of
all library users, regardless of sex, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation.

Adopted June 30,1993 , by the ALA Council; amended July 12,2000, June 30, 2004.