Sunday, October 9, 2022

‘Read with Pride’ book display


For the ninth week of my studies in LIS 5250, my task was to showcase some resources of my library’s collection. To paraphrase the AASL “standards” (2018), the collection is the center of any library, whether school, public, or otherwise.

October is LGBT History Month, so I decided to showcase some of the books in my library that have relevance to the LGBTQIA+ community. Our library serves students in Kindergarten through 8th grade, but for this display, I decided to focus on a target readership of upper middle-school to rising high-school students.

Books featured in this display:

Each book cover links to that book’s record in our online catalog, and its record includes the title, author name, and call number, as well as a summary or description. If patrons log in, they will be able to place holds through our online catalog, directly on a book that interests them. Those books that are currently “IN” can also be located through a visit to the physical library.

Informational links:
The virtual library includes monitors displaying screen-captures from informational websites. Each monitor and display links to the relevant site:

Pride flags along the top of the slide link to information on:

Personal connection:
I included a Bitmoji avatar in this library display, customized with clothing from my off-line persona.

The pin on my hat displays the flag of Autistic Pride:
https://au-ti.com/2021/12/23/a-new-autistic-pride-flag-has-suddenly-appeared-its-amazing/

This is a part of bringing “my whole self to work” that Pelayo-Lozada is talking about in a recent column for American Libraries: “When we bring our whole selves to work and make connections with our users, we do our best work. Our personal identities allow patrons to see themselves in those who have power and authority in an institution, and our openness fosters partnership, empowering patrons in a world that often strips them of autonomy” (2022, p. 4).

The inclusivity-sunflower logo on my shirt links to an ALA issue statement, regarding services to LGBTQIA+ people:
https://www.ala.org/advocacy/diversity/librariesrespond/Services-LGBTQ

“As a population that is often the subject of discrimination and harassment, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people can benefit from the access to information which libraries provide and the sense of community which library programs can help foster. It is important to note that the LGBTQIA+ population is diverse, spanning age groups, ethnic and racial groups, socio-economic groups, and personal identities” (American Library Association, n.d.)

References:
American Association of School Librarians. (2018). National school library standards for learners, school librarians, and school libraries. ALA Editions.

American Library Association. (n.d.) Services to LGBTQIA+ people. Libraries respond. https://www.ala.org/advocacy/diversity/librariesrespond/Services-LGBTQ

Pelayo-Lozada, L. (2022). Representation matters. American Libraries 53(9), 4.
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