- In many instances, readers find new books and authors they love by browsing. If they are not sure whether or not they would like one of those books then they might not even go to those areas, but if the books stay within the main collection, a patron might discover a new book or author that they now love but might not have found if it had been somewhere else.
- Readers who already love those genres might feel judged or uncomfortable having to go to a separate area to find the books they want to read, especially if they are worried that other patrons might be watching them and judging what they choose to read.
- If libraries will not censor books and other materials or remove items from a collection just because someone or a group does not agree then items should not be removed from the main collection to another area just because a group does not think that they belong. Unlike wanting these genres moved so that they can be highlighted and celebrated, asking for them to be moved so that they do not have to see them goes against what libraries are all about and that is providing information and knowledge to all without judgement and making sure that the patrons that want to read those genres have access to them.
Sunday, April 15, 2018
Week 14 Prompt
If it was up to me whether or not LGBTQ and African American fiction should be separated into their own collections, I would say no. I would choose to keep them in with the adult and teen fiction collections. Now that does not mean that I wouldn't create displays with only those on them but that would be to highlight those books, not keep them separate from the rest of the fiction collection. I think it would do more harm than good, even though in this scenario, patrons have requested this. If the other genres within fiction are not being separated into their own areas then neither should these two, just because it might make some uncomfortable to have it there. Libraries are meant to be a safe place where patrons can come find information and great books and taking certain genres from the main collection, not to highlight them but because others do not like them takes away from that. A few reasons that I feel it should be included in with the rest of the fiction are:
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Hi Holly. I agree with all your statements, but the first one stands out to me. Even if separating books out for those folks who can't bear to see them was a viable option (it isn't), what about those browsers who don't have an issue with gay life? They may never see the books separated out and they might miss one of the great reads of their life! I'm sorry. The library is for everyone and separating certain types from the main collection is wrong, wrong, wrong! Nice post!
ReplyDeleteDear Holly,
ReplyDeleteI partially disagree with your argument that we should integrate African American literature and GBLTQ materials into the library system. I think that books of the street lit genre of African American literature that dwell on violence or sex should be separated from the collection. I believe that this act of separation should be accomplished by the library, since the street lit genre may appear to be overly gratuitous in terms of violence or sex for typical readers. However, novels from the street lit genre could be integrated into a library’s collection if they are assigned a violence rating and a rating for sex. I would also not incorporate GBLTQ materials into the primary collection of a library system, since those materials are highly controversial in the eyes of the public. Do loving heterosexual couples with children truly want to read, And Tango Makes Three, to their children every night? Homosexual couples might read the novel to their adopted children, but there is still an overwhelming majority of couples who greatly disagree. So, GBLTQ materials should be separated from the library’s main collection.
I also believe that labels are used to define things into categories. Labels are utilized to create meaning, and they don’t always create negative associations with items or certain kinds of individuals. In addition, items from a separated collection are still completely accessible to library patrons in another location if they are separated from the library’s main collection.
Megan, you make an interesting point but it can be a very tricky slope. If you separate LGBT items from the children section, should you also separate religious picture book? Books that deal with divorce and death (sensitive topics for kids)? Ultimately, I believe that parents need to be more involved. They should be the ones censoring books that their kids check out, not the library.
DeleteFantastic prompt response! You did an excellent job breaking down a tough argument and building a solid case for your reasoning! Full points!
ReplyDelete