Public Library Services to the LBGT Community

1. Public Library Services to the LBGT Community A presentation by Otis D. Alexander May 20, 2013 VLAPF SECOND SESSION: 1:30 p.m.–2:30 pm

2. Introduction Although the public library had its beginnings in New England in the 1800’s, the New York library system is credited as the first to embark upon the systematic development of a free public library. It was during this early period that a close relationship developed between organized labor and the public library. In some localities, the general public gained access to the library due to the establishment of tradesmen’s libraries. However, by the 1890’s this closeness between the laboring class and the public libraries had begun to deteriorate. Nelson Associates, 1969, Public library systems in the United States; a survey of multijurisdictional systems, (Chicago: American Library Association).

3. Before Historical Development Long before the historical development of free libraries in American history, homosexuality and consensual love between the same gender sex have been part of the social, cultural, political fabric. However, those in leadership have always been afraid to test the depth of the sea with both feet.

4. Background While the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender movement was around for some generations, it did not began to mobilize politically until the 1950s. At that time, much of the structuring was by the Mattachine Society and the Daughters of Bilitis on the West Coast. However, it was not until the 1960s that the movement began to pick up some momentum but yet still kind of low keyed. (NYPL Digital Gallery, http://digitalgallery.nypl.org/nypldigital/explore/dgexplore.cfm?topic=all&col_id=662, accessed July 16, 2012).

5. From the President On December 06, 2011, President Barack Obama forwarded a memorandum for the heads of Executive Department and Agencies, “ International Initiatives to Advance the Human Rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Persons.”

6. Statement of the Problem The primary purpose of this presentation is to investigate the attitudes of librarians and managers who are responsible for the public library services that address the needs and desires of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community. This report will also identify factors that appear to be associated with successful public library programs that assist this group of customers. These customers, who are rather community-minded and often viewed as high achievers work in almost every discipline possible, including the natural sciences, Fine and Lively Arts, technology, and serve as entrepreneurs as well as clergies.

7. Framed Questions Does the library treat the LGBT community in the same way as those who do not fall within this community group ? Do the LGBT community go to the library to search for jobs in newspapers? Do the LGBT group utilize the library to search for jobs on the Internet? Do the LGBT community go to the library to seek information about government financial assistance? Do the librarians make an effort to seek out LGBT community members to teach them how to specifically search for jobs on the Internet based on their social needs? Are the librarians in the public library making positive attempts to assist the LGBT community into economic and social upward mobility through available resources? Should additional funding be made available by local government to bolster literacy programs for the LGBT community?

8. Assumptions • It is the public library’s social responsibility to address the economic issues of the LGBT community through referrals, training or guidance in technical and literacy skills. • Programs designed to serve the LGBT community can be successful; • The public library should advertise all of its offerings in neighborhood centers, academic centers, and government agencies. • The public library should make every effort to accommodate the LGBT community. • Some public library managers discourage the obvious LGBT customers from using the library facilities. • Labor unions and public libraries have a similar interest in supporting social growth and upward mobility in a community.

9. InstrumentPublic Library Service to the LGBT Community "Background Information Interviewer: Date: Interviewee: Circle One: Branch Librarian Library Director Library Specialist Reference Librarian Library Board Other Directions: Please answer the following questions as briefly and completely as possible. Place an X in the space near the response of your choice. Please supply any other information that you feel will be of use in this survey. Interview Questions 1. Does your library offer any special services to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender individuals in your area? YES_____ NO_____ 2. How did your library plan for such services? Please include how staff was involved, the length of time involved in the planning phase, and how you gathered background information. YES_____ NO_____

10. 3. Were any LGBT materials and/or services donated to the library? YES_____ NO_____ If so, what materials and/or services? 4. Were funds from your regular budget derived for this program? YES_____NO____ 5. Were funds from your federal grants derived for this program? YES_____NO____ 6. Were funds from a special budget derived for this program? YES_____NO____ 5. Did your library contact a sampling of LGBT individuals to ascertain how the library might serve them? YES_____ NO_____ If so, how was such contact made?

11. 6. Was the library's effort to provide services to the LGBT coordinated with any other private or public organizations or agencies? YES_____ NO_____ If so, please describe. 7. How did you publicize services and special programs to the LGBT community? Newspaper_____ Radio Television_____ printed publicity (please describe)_____ other_____ 8. What staff was used to interact with LGBT customers seeking information related to social, research, or job opportunities? Please indicate both the number of staff and job title. 9. What kinds of reading and audiovisual materials were used? books_____ newspapers_____ pamphlets_____ videotapes_____ films_____ audiotapes_____ other (please describe)_____ 10. Which of the above activities and services proved most useful for the LGBT customers? 11. What kinds of activities and services were offered? workshops_____ employment_____ counseling_____ programs involving outside speakers (please describe)____ other_____ _

12. 12. Which of the above activities and services proved most successful for LGBT customers? 13. Did the staff participate in activities or services outside the library? YES_____ NO_____ If so, please describe. 14. Have any individuals served by your program indicated successful for LGBT customers as a result of the library's efforts? YES_____ NO_____ If so, please describe. 15. Is your program of service and programs to the LGBT community still continuing? YES_____ NO_____ If not, how long did it last?

13. Recommendations The following suggestions are compiled for public libraries to better serve the GBLT community: • Create policies and procedures for training the underrepresented groups; • Treat all library customers fairly regardless of their station in life; • Make sure that the library is a safe place for all customers; • Maintain a comfortable environment for all library customers; • Seek federal, state, and local funds to create, implement, and maintain free library sponsored programs for LGBT community; • Seek grants for Nonprofits : LGBT • Partner with the local university and community college; • Partner with other governmental agencies, such as social services, public safety, park and recreation, and public education; • Partner with private and parochial schools, • Partner with Catholic Charities;

14. • Seek grants for Nonprofits : LGBT • Partner with the local university and community college; • Partner with other governmental agencies, such as social services, public safety, park and recreation, and public education; • Partner with private and parochial schools, • Partner with Catholic Charities;

15. • Partner with churches, synagogues, and faith-based organizations; • Network with other public libraries out of the same jurisdiction; • Satellite library programs in federal supported housing units; • Identify a need for customer training by using periodic surveys; • Training and social programs advertised for all qualified;

16. • Periodic diversity training and good customer service training for the library staff; • Empower library staff with program participation and to override policies and procedures in order to prevent problems; • Network with institutions with ALA accredited library schools; • Provide professional, supervised computer lab for all customers; • List categorized services available at reference desk and on library bulletin boards for customers. • Document the value of library services; • Measure progress toward accomplishing the goals and objectives set forth in the strategic planning.

17. Conclusion There will always be GBLT community members, for behavior, sex assignment, or sexual orientation can not be controlled by ordinary means. So, with this being presented, it is a moral, civic, and social responsibility of the public library to be knowledgeable, creative, and nimble in doing all that can be done in elevating these individuals so that they, too, can have a quality life and quality informational services. Public libraries thus have to make a serious decision as to whether they are only going to respond to the informational needs of only the academically elite patrons, or attempt to serve the needs of the greater community.