According to
the author of the article, “A place on the shelf”, “A separate section for gay
and lesbian fiction might pose problems, making some readers feel exposed when
browsing and others ghettoized. A good alternative is creating finding aids--online
lists and print handouts (stored with other readers' advisory materials) that
provide both access and privacy.” (Thomas, 2007) I tend to disagree with
the rationale that Thomas provides for not separating the fiction. I believe
that when considering separating LGBTQ and African American fiction, it depends
on the size and dynamics of the library. In my library, which is a small public
library that is inclusive of all material, I would not separate the collection
initially. I would acquire (or make) subject labels and affix them to the
appropriate titles. At that time, I would check the catalog record and modify
it to make sure that the correct subject headings were listed to ensure patron
ease in finding desired material. Additional “finding aids” like bookmarks and
lists can be created to assist patrons in locating other titles.
Currently,
our library has adult fiction, inspirational fiction, large print and mystery
fiction separated in the adult area. Genre identification labels are used to
designate fantasy, romance, science fiction, urban fiction and westerns. The decision of what stickers
to add and where to place the material is subjective and can be a time consuming decision as many titles can fit into more than
one category. More than one sticker can be place on a book, but the book can only be
put in one designated physical genre section.
“On the other hand, genre browsers in an interfiled fiction collection
are left to scan the shelves for genre stickers. This is much more time
consuming than it is to locate one author in various genre collections.”(Trott,
2006) If patron demand and interest in the collection grew and warranted a
sizable circulating collection, I would definitely reconsider separating out the
collection as well as the other genres in the fiction area.
The article,
“A house divided?” brings up this valid point concerning the grouping of African-American
themed titles together, “With an author such as Walter Mosley, it is possible
that a reader would have to look in science fiction, general fiction, and
mystery fiction in order to locate all of his titles (unless, of course they
were all grouped together in an African American fiction section, which raises
another set of issues).” (Trott, 2006) The issue this brings up is what
constitutes the LGBTQ fiction and African American Fiction. Is it the identity
of the author? The main character? The example with Walter Mosley is a good one
because he authors novels about strong black male heroes but in varied genres. There are also books in the young adult area that would benefit from label designations. Another consideration would be what to do with the YA titles and non-fiction if they were sectioned off. This is where readers' advisory services are crucial to helping patrons find what they want. Fortunately, libraries can adapt to patrons' needs and the collection will evolve to serve them.
References
Thomas, D.
(2007). A Place On the Shelf. Library Journal, 132(8), 40-43.
Trott, B., & Novak, V. (2006). A House Divided?. Reference & User Services Quarterly, 46(2), 33-38.
I agree with you when you mentioned that it really has a lot to do with the library. Some smaller libraries do not have the space to separate it even if they wanted to, while others are big enough to debate this decision. You make a lot of good points in this prompt. It should make people think more about the structure and organization of their library.
ReplyDeleteYou make a good point. Some libraries are very small and don't have the option of separating. One of my library's branches used to separate different genres, but space was becoming an issues. All adult fiction is now shelved together no matter what the genre is.
DeleteI think it also reflects on the community that surrounds the library. Obviously, every library should cater to as many people as possible, but a library in an extremely conservative area would not want a separate LGBTQ section anyhow. On the other hand, a library like New York Public might benefit from having a Urban Fiction area because many of the system's libraries are in urban areas themselves.
ReplyDeleteI agree about having your setup reflect the community around you. Libraries in a conservative area might not want a GLBT section, because they don't want any of those books in their library; however, if you do have GLBT books in a library in a more conservative area it may become even more important for the people who do read those books to make their selections with more privacy. It's difficult but INCREDIBLY important to reflect the whole community, not just the majority views of the community.
DeleteI live in a conservative community and I don't think separating LGBTQ fiction would work well. My town is small enough that gossip flies quickly. In this case, I think privacy is very important.
DeleteI think it also reflects on the community that surrounds the library. Obviously, every library should cater to as many people as possible, but a library in an extremely conservative area would not want a separate LGBTQ section anyhow. On the other hand, a library like New York Public might benefit from having a Urban Fiction area because many of the system's libraries are in urban areas themselves.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your post, good example of Walter Mosley & others who, if separated, could wind up in various themes. Integrated collections are best, make special themes bibliographies if needed.
ReplyDelete