Ingen ska ha en regnbågshatt : om biblioteks arbete med hbtq-inkludering efter en hbtq-certifiering.

Abstract

This master's thesis aims to investigate how libraries can continue the work for LGBTQ-inclusion after they have acquired a certification from the RFSL, including how the certification affects librarians and the library, and if that work accommodates what young people from the LGBTQ(AI)-community wants and needs from the library. The material is guided from both qualitative interviews with five librarians across two libraries with an LGBTQ-certification and from a qualitative internet survey aimed towards LGBTQ-youths. The survey had 25 respondents. The material has been analysed with queer theory. In the present study the author has identified three themes that are then further explored with help of the survey results. These themes are the library environment, the librarian and the meeting with the users and safety.
The thesis concludes that the librarians from both libraries are aware of the risk to see the certification as seal of approval for a work well done and nothing more. However, they are developing their work for a more inclusive environment. When they have found problems, they evaluated and made efforts to change. For example, when the room is signalling that it is LGBTQ-inclusive with help of flags and information notes it helps to make the library feel safer for the user. This also applies to the librarians themselves, such as wearing a rainbow pin or key-band to make users more likely to ask for help concerning LGBTQ-media. So called “rainbow-shelves” form one of the most dividing parts of the library's environment, both according to the librarians and the users. The shelves can make LGBTQ-media more visible, and at the same time make it as something that stands out from the norm. It can make it easier to find for the user and make them feel outed as a LGBTQ-person. The librarians feel that they have not succeeded to make the public aware of their knowledge of LGBTQ-related subjects and this is confirmed in part by the users.
Both librarians in most cases see the future for their work with LGBTQ-inclusion as promising, and their aim to make the library a safe space seems to be making progress. However, one challenge is that the survey respondents view other library users as the biggest threat to their safety and that there is not much that a certification or well-educated librarian can do about other users if they are homo- or trans- phobic.
The certification is perceived to strengthen the library as a safe place for everyone and none of the librarians can imagine that they will not continue to work for a good and inclusive environment for LGBTQ-people in the future.

• author: Taller, Johanna
• supervisor: Johanna Rivano Eckerdal
• organization: Division of ALM, Digital Cultures and Publishing Studies
• alternative title: No one should wear a rainbow hat : on libraries' work with LGBTQ-inclusion after an LGBTQ-certification
• course: ABMM54 20191
• year: 2019
• type: H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
• subject: Cultural Sciences
• keywords: Library and information studies, queer, queer theory, LGBTQ, LGBTQAI+, RFSL certification, public library, biblioteks- och informationsvetenskap, queerteori, hbtq, hbtqai+, RFSLs hbtq-certifikat, folkbibliotek
• language: Swedish
• id: 8980222
• date added to LUP: 2019-07-16 13:15:10
• date last changed: 2019-07-16 13:15:10