LGBTQIA+ Inclusive Children's Librarianship: Policies, Programs, and Practices

(Paperback)

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This book breaks new ground, offering school and public librarians serving children in grades K8 a roadmap for implementing and upholding queer-inclusive programs, policies, and services. School and public librarians are serving ever greater numbers of LGBTQIA+ children and families. Transgender children may begin to express a strong sense of gender identity as early as 23 years of age. Children are also identifying as gay much sooner than earlier generationsoften between the ages of 7 and 12. Additionally, more children than ever before are living with LGBTQIA+ caregivers. In seeking to make our programs and services inclusive and equitable for these growing populations, librarians may court controversy and face community backlash from patrons who feel queer-inclusive content is inappropriate for young children. This book codifies a set of best practices for librarians as they rise to this challenge, defining queer-inclusive programs, identifying potential barriers to implementation, and offering strategies and resources to overcome them. Resources for Additional Support

Reviews

At a time when book challenges are at an all time high, and some states are even seeking to legislate the erasure of narratives that affirm queer identities specifically, LGBTQIA+ Inclusive Children's Librarianship by Santos Green et al, is a potentially life saving resource. As the authors point out in the very first chapter, while visibility and acceptance of queer identities has increased greatly in the last few decades, this progress has been met with highly organized, "targeted pushback against attempts to include LGBTQIA+ youth and their stories in public spaces such as libraries and schools." The erasure of queer stories and experiences from library shelves, displays and programming is particularly distressing when overlapped with the reality that "[a] large percentage of LGBTQIA+ youth report symptoms of anxiety and depression, including self-harming behaviors and suicidal ideation (thoughts of suicide)." In this context, it's clear that librarians have a responsibility to create collections, spaces and programming that are both inclusive and affirming. Still, in today's world, doing that work can feel difficult and even dangerous. With this in mind, Santos Green et al, not only acknowledge the personal and professional risk librarians sometimes face when advocating for their queer youth, they also provide resources and tips for overcoming resistance, personal discomfort and potentially confrontational challenges from community members. Indeed, rich with practical strategies for updating policies, procedures and programming LGBTQIA+ Inclusive Children's Librarianship serves as a blueprint to meet this important moment. I can't wait for librarians to have access to this empowering and essential book. * Jennifer LaGarde, Adjunct Professor, Rutgers University, Creator of librarygirl.net *
This is required reading for librarians everywhere! This is relevant, important information. The library is the central hub of the school, and this is a guidebook to help ensure that it truly is. Go beyond the performative displays of allyship and use this book to go beyond decorations and get to the heart of issue. The helpful inclusive glossary of terms and student testimonies truly help capture the need for this book. * Cicely Lewis, School Librarian at Meadowcreek High School and Founder of Read Woke *

Author Bio

Lucy Santos Green, EdD, is professor of information science at the University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC. Jenna Spiering, PhD, is assistant professor of information science at the University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC. Vanessa Lynn Kitzie, PhD, is assistant professor of information science at the University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC. Julia Erlanger, MSLIS, is a youth services librarian for Sacramento Public Library in Sacramento, CA.