Unless there was a large demand for these genres at
my library I would have to say no. As Section One of the ALA’s Code of Ethics
states, it is essential for all library staff to “provide the highest level of
service to all library users through appropriate and usefully organized
resources, equitable service policies, equitable access, and accurate,
unbiased, and courteous responses to all requests” (American Library
Association, 2014, 1). In “cities where African Americans make up
half the population, libraries have had established collections for some time”, and the genre
continues to gain popularity from bookclubs and being included on top reading
lists (Brown,
1997, 49). This is why Readers’ Advisory feedback is important; at the Seattle
Public Library they have an online RA form used often by patrons called Your
Next 5 Books which I think would be useful at every
public library.
Space
My library already has Westerns, Science Fiction,
and Short Story in their own collections, and by having only one floor space
would be an issue. For me, looking at the demographics of the library’s
community determine what goes into the library’s collection. How much cost
would there be for added shelves? I agree with providing “finding aids with
online lists and print handouts” as this would aid users in saving time to
search and locate books (Thomas, 2007, 42). Since many of the titles are
available in different formats, this needs to be addressed as well. Displays
would also be beneficial in promoting these genres, and in turn the books would
get more circulation.
Time
Many patrons like to browse the shelves at my
library and select their own book. African American/GBLTQ fiction is linked to
many genres/sub-genres (i.e., Detective Fiction, by Author, by Women, Romance,
Suspense) which may be difficult to categorize and locate by patrons. Would catalogers
need to include more subject headings in the library’s catalog for better
access? Would technical services have to re-label these items? According to
Linville’s 2004 article, “Beyond Picket Fences: What Gay/Queer/LGBTQ Teens Want
from the Library”, teens preferred that in regards to labels/stickers on
materials, library staff should “sticker one copy of the book and have other
copies available without it” in the stacks so that they would not feel judged
in their selection (185).
Privacy
Would these books be checked out more if they were
in their own collection? Would gay and lesbian patrons feel comfortable having
their own genre available or singled out? The ALA Code of Ethics under Section
Three notes the following: “We protect each user’s right to privacy and
confidentiality with respect to information sought or received and resources
consulted, borrowed, acquired, or transmitted.” (American Library Association, 2014, 1). According to Linville, “librarians have the
power in the library to make the information available or to hide it to make
patrons feel welcome or to make them feel unwanted” (2004, 184). Whether or not
they have their own collection(s), is vital that these individuals need to know
that they are being represented at the library.
References
American Library Association. (2014,
April 15). Code of ethics of the American
Library Association. Retrieved from
Brown, V. (1997). African-American
Fiction: A slamming genre. American Libraries, 28(10),
48-50.
Linville,
D. (2004). Beyond picket fences: What gay/queer/LGBTQ teens want from the
library. Voice of Youth Advocates, 27,
183-186.
Thomas, D. (2007). A place on the shelf. Library Journal, 132(8), 40-3.
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