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LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Queer och bibliotekarie : Queera bibliotekariers relation till hbtqi-arbete vid folk- och skolbibliotek

Larsson, Hedvig LU (2021) ABMM54 20211
Division of ALM, Digital Cultures and Publishing Studies
Abstract
Work related to LGBTQI is in some places an important part of libraries, but is also in some places questioned or not prioritised. Part of libraries work with LGBTQI-questions is having a so called rainbow shelf, with works related to LGBTQI themes, or getting a LGBTQI-certification through the organisation RFSL, which gives information and teaches methods of including LGBTQI matters.

The aim of the thesis is to investigate queer librarians’ relation to the LGBTQI work at public and school libraries to get a better understanding on how libraries can work with LGBTQI questions.

The study is based on theories about social acknowledgement by Axel Honneth, recognizing that acknowledgement of vulnerable groups has had a driving factor... (More)
Work related to LGBTQI is in some places an important part of libraries, but is also in some places questioned or not prioritised. Part of libraries work with LGBTQI-questions is having a so called rainbow shelf, with works related to LGBTQI themes, or getting a LGBTQI-certification through the organisation RFSL, which gives information and teaches methods of including LGBTQI matters.

The aim of the thesis is to investigate queer librarians’ relation to the LGBTQI work at public and school libraries to get a better understanding on how libraries can work with LGBTQI questions.

The study is based on theories about social acknowledgement by Axel Honneth, recognizing that acknowledgement of vulnerable groups has had a driving factor in development. Queer theory is used to understand how heteronormativity affects society and makes norms about sexuality, gender and expression. Queer theory criticises that there is a “natural” link between sex, gender and sexual orientation. Furthermore, theories about norms are used to discuss how norms can be challenged in the library.

The study uses a qualitative method by interviewing five librarians that identify as queer about their workplace and the LGBTQI work taking place there. This is done to get a better understanding of how they view their identity in relation to their workplace and how they view the common strategies of LGBTQI work, for example rainbow shelves and LGBTQI-certification. The study also uses a qualitative analysis to analyse the interview findings. The analyse focuses on the librarian’s identity in relation to their workplace, how the LGTBQI work both can make LGBTQI issues visible and indicatory, the library as a safe space, as well as challenges and the future of LGBTQI issues.

Findings include that there is a conflict between what the library law establishes, what the local municipality prioritizes and what is important to the librarians. The librarians refer to their identity when they describe their relationship with their work and their workplace. The librarians both consciously and unconsciously works toward making the library a safe and inclusive place where patrons can be and discover who they are. The librarians differ in opinions about strategies to work with LGBTQI-questions but reasons in similar ways about pros and cons of working in a specific way. (Less)
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author
Larsson, Hedvig LU
supervisor
organization
course
ABMM54 20211
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Library, information, library and information studies, queer, queer theory, LGBTQI, public library, social recognition, biblioteks- och informationsvetenskap, queerteori, hbtqi, folkbibliotek, skolbibliotek, socialt erkännande
language
Swedish
id
9050758
date added to LUP
2021-06-24 22:02:23
date last changed
2021-06-24 22:02:23
@misc{9050758,
  abstract     = {{Work related to LGBTQI is in some places an important part of libraries, but is also in some places questioned or not prioritised. Part of libraries work with LGBTQI-questions is having a so called rainbow shelf, with works related to LGBTQI themes, or getting a LGBTQI-certification through the organisation RFSL, which gives information and teaches methods of including LGBTQI matters. 

The aim of the thesis is to investigate queer librarians’ relation to the LGBTQI work at public and school libraries to get a better understanding on how libraries can work with LGBTQI questions. 

The study is based on theories about social acknowledgement by Axel Honneth, recognizing that acknowledgement of vulnerable groups has had a driving factor in development. Queer theory is used to understand how heteronormativity affects society and makes norms about sexuality, gender and expression. Queer theory criticises that there is a “natural” link between sex, gender and sexual orientation. Furthermore, theories about norms are used to discuss how norms can be challenged in the library. 

The study uses a qualitative method by interviewing five librarians that identify as queer about their workplace and the LGBTQI work taking place there. This is done to get a better understanding of how they view their identity in relation to their workplace and how they view the common strategies of LGBTQI work, for example rainbow shelves and LGBTQI-certification. The study also uses a qualitative analysis to analyse the interview findings. The analyse focuses on the librarian’s identity in relation to their workplace, how the LGTBQI work both can make LGBTQI issues visible and indicatory, the library as a safe space, as well as challenges and the future of LGBTQI issues. 

Findings include that there is a conflict between what the library law establishes, what the local municipality prioritizes and what is important to the librarians. The librarians refer to their identity when they describe their relationship with their work and their workplace. The librarians both consciously and unconsciously works toward making the library a safe and inclusive place where patrons can be and discover who they are. The librarians differ in opinions about strategies to work with LGBTQI-questions but reasons in similar ways about pros and cons of working in a specific way.}},
  author       = {{Larsson, Hedvig}},
  language     = {{swe}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Queer och bibliotekarie : Queera bibliotekariers relation till hbtqi-arbete vid folk- och skolbibliotek}},
  year         = {{2021}},
}