The main reason I think this works is that LGBTQ fiction can cover so many genres, it doesn’t make sense to have it in its own spot when the books are already spread out between the genres. Urban fiction on the other hand tends to be more focused and doesn’t span quite as many genres. Another reason I think separating Urban fiction makes sense in a library like mine is that we are an urban library. I’ve had many patrons come in who are specifically interested in finding the Urban fiction section and having a specific place in the collection for Urban fiction makes it easier to help patrons find what they are looking for.
Lastly, I think keeping LGBTQ fiction within the main collection is a good idea due to the increase in book challenges. While there has been a rise in book challenges across the board, more and more books are being challenged for LGBTQ content. In 2023, seven of the ten most challenged books were challenged at least in part due to LGBTQ content (ALA, 2023). Having LGBTQ fiction in a separate section would make it easier for book challengers to target the books that they most often don’t agree with and want to see removed from library collections. The folks who want to challenge books will find books to challenge regardless of where they are located in the collection, but libraries don’t need to make it easier for them to target LGBTQ books. It is unsettling as a librarian to have to think this way, but it is the sad reality that we live in.
References:
Challenged Books. http://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/top10
Lyttle, M.A., & Walsh, S.D. (2015, May 5). Separate or keep together? Public Libraries
Online. https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2015/05/separate-or-keep-together/
I like your understanding of your patrons and that knowing which collections to have separated and which to mix in is super important. I also agree that there always be books that will be challenged no matter where they are in the library. I hope that in the future there will be too many books for challenges to really matter, but that is just wishful thinking. Understanding your library and knowing what would be best is certainly the most important thing when it comes to the collection.
ReplyDeleteWorking at an urban library as well, we have many patrons who come in looking specifically for our urban collection. It definitely makes it easier for patrons to find the titles and authors they are looking for and to find more books they might enjoy. I also had similar thoughts on LGBTQ books. These titles span many genres and separating them can target both those books and the people who read them.
ReplyDeleteLooks like we were on the same wavelength this week! I didn't mention the issue of book challenges in my response but I can absolutely see how having a separate LGBTQ fiction section might put more of a target on the materials. With that in mind though, I feel that this concern could have counterpoints in regards to censorship; I agree that separating LGBTQ fiction wouldn't be a good choice for several reasons aside from this, but at the same time concerns of attracting negative attention should not deter libraries / librarians from showcasing LGBTQ materials in other ways. If a similar concern (of putting a target on LGBTQ materials) is made for a temporary display or booklist for example, you'd then have to consider at what point you're acting instead to appease potential challengers and limiting visibility. It's a difficult line to walk!
ReplyDeleteExcellent response! I like how you chose to separate and not separate based on different reasons. Very well thought out!
ReplyDeleteVictoria,
ReplyDeleteI think you make a good point when you say that you would separate urban fiction because your library is urban and you get frequent requests for that specific type of book. These decisions aren't one-size-fits-all and sometimes different library communities have different needs. My library would benefit from having separate sections for Amish fiction and cozy mysteries, because we have high demand for those books, and the people who ask for them will not read any other type of book.