Queer Communities in Academic Libraries

Join us tonight 8PM CT for a riveting discussion on queer communities in academic libraries!  http://critlib.org/queer-communities-in-academic-libraries/ … #critlib #queerspaces

For ideas on how academic libraries can support queer communities b4 the #critlib chat, check out this storify:  http://bit.ly/2rp8zu1 

ATTN: 🏳️‍🌈 #critlib discussion in 15 min (8:00CT, 1:00 Zulu time) w/me & @brinepond

HI Y'ALL welcome to tonight's #critlib about queer communities in academic libraries, time to introduce yourselves!!

for a list of q's/readings for tonight's #critlib, please go here:  http://critlib.org/queer-communities-in-academic-libraries/ …

Greg Bem from @learningcommons (@TheLWTech). Faculty librarian! #critlib  https://twitter.com/brinepond/status/872256931422982145 …

@Infinity_Dots @brinepond hi! im excited to learn from this #critlib discussion!

also moderating tonight's #critlib is @Infinity_Dots! as a note we're using "queer" for anyone who IDs as LGBTQIA+

@brinepond hello! im a librarian in Philly. #critlib

Also I'd like to take a leaf out of @zinelib's book & offer an option for people to tweet semi-anonymously #critlib

If you have something you'd like to tweet anonymously email me at this temporary address: infinitydotsforever@gmail.com #critlib

@Infinity_Dots Folks can do that or use the anonymous relay form here to post anonymously to the chat:  https://script.google.com/macros/s/AKfycbwyWyihbid8kFgyc1Pu5_BTBFGZt9Ij75bA9WPjPaMu1jCgtNmQ/exec … #critlib

For anon tweeting tonight. This is just one of the many reasons why #critlib is the best.  https://twitter.com/violetbfox/status/872257706777772032 …

@bembrarian Thanks for the anonymous relay go to the fabulous @metageeky! #critlib

anyway i'm kelly and i'm a presently unemployed librarian/archivist future paralegal student in detroit #critlib

@ForeverBren_x @TrippTuttle @uncsils @xoxoMattyBoy Tonight's #critlib discussion has started and goes until 10pm EST. Feel free to join if you would like!

Hey #critlib I'm Lisa, an academic librarian in California.

Hi #critlib, I'm Kelly, an academic librarian in Oregon!

Q1. What do you do (or plan to do) to support queer communities on your campus? #critlib

Queer communities in libraries: mostly I see the community of queer librarians, but not so much students in libraries--you all? #critlib

I am doing my dissertation research on queer undergraduates and their perceptions of library spaces #critlib

@voxpopulare I know we have a lot of queer students on our campus because I advise the queer student org which meets in the library! #critlib

Right now it's outreach to the LGBT resource center, women's center, and classes that cover queer/gender/sexuality studies #critlib  https://twitter.com/brinepond/status/872258310715695104 …

@brinepond Every summer, libs & HR sponsor Safe Space Training. The LGBT Center has an intensive workshop geared towards lib staff. #critlib

A1: some is explicit, like our Pride Month book display or providing space for QTPOC student group #critlib

@voxpopulare Yay collaboration! I've worked with the counseling & career services departments on queer themed panel discussions/events. #critlib

@brinepond In addition, libs work w/ the LGBT Center to make sure students' preferred names show up in course sites & lib accounts. #critlib

A1 I do collection development projects to specifically add queer novels and nonfiction, using the Lambda and Stonewall lists #critlib

June is a terrible month--most students away, so no big Pride celebration here #critlib

A1: also, a lot of queer library workers doing their own visibility and culture change #critlib

A1 attending queer themed events on & off campus is important I think to show students that librarians care. #critlib a physical presence

doing the deity's work here #critlib  https://twitter.com/CritLib_anon/status/872259783302279168 …

A1: we have a lot of queer collections to support academic study -- students have told me they're surprised by how much we have #critlib

A1 little things like putting your pronouns in your email signature can have a lot of meaning for other queer stu, fac, staff #critlib

A1: Partnering w/ Women's and Gender Studies program, Student Alliance for Gender Equality to open a new resource room/safe space #critlib

A1. We have a lot of psych students. Fellow librarian screened a doc called "Trans Clients Speak". #critlib

@voxpopulare students dont generally say theyre queer & using the libs. they tend to open up about identities during diversity events/talks. #critlib

A1: also, just building community with queer students, staff, and faculty -- be seen and be available #critlib

@voxpopulare It's possible they have their own designated signature events during the academic year. #critlib

Q2. Looking @ Q1 who’s being left out? (due to race, ethnicity, age, socioeconomic status, non-trad students, +) #critlib

@akaur0 Yes I know--I go to them--and our town does Pride in September when the students return #critlib

Of course, that is *if* they can find them in the stacks...#critlib

A2 Distance students are often left out, which is why have a good queer resource guide online is helpful #critlib

The LGBT Center had presented a Diversi-tea, where students & staff conversed about how the libs can support the LGBT community #critlib

Question to folks--how many of you have an LGBT resource center on your campus? How does it impact queer student library use? #critlib

Hi #critlib I'm Max & I'm a little late 🙋‍♂️ and I'm an academic librarian in VA.

getting a late start but I'm here--zoe, academic librarian, denver, hella queer. #critlib

A1 I gave a talk in the library September for #bannedbooksweek about LGBTQ books, students came (!!) and they loved it #critlib

A2: most of the concrete programs we do are in partnership with existing groups, so, folks who are already connected to a group #critlib

@akaur0 great idea! This could be helpful for int'l students who might have a harder time breaking into the queer communities on campuses #critlib

Q3. What can librarians do to show support for transgender students, fac, staff in particular? #critlib

Our campus had @ryansallans give a talk on transgender awareness, and this was a point he stressed #critlib  https://twitter.com/akaur0/status/872259728734375936 …

@voxpopulare yep, and no idea. How would we know? #critlib

my slides from my 2016 #bannedbooksweek talk about books that are "unsuited for age group" (eg queer) #critlib  https://quickaskzoe.files.wordpress.com/2016/10/unsuited-for-age-group-9-29-16.pptx …

lib can be a mtg space 4 campus resource cntr staff 2 plan services 4 queer students, other marginalized pop, nontrad students, etc #critlib

@LWTechCL we should think about this! #critlib  https://twitter.com/akaur0/status/872261729937436674 …

We have an active campus lgbt center + partner with them on stuff. Ahem. They're good at reminding us that not all queer folk r yt. #critlib

A3 I'd really like to see public svcs & instruction librarians be mindful of the pronouns they use with students, fac, staff #critlib

A3 bathrooms are really contested spaces right now--I'd like to see academic librarians do more to make bathrooms safe for all #critlib

@brinepond A1. Being visible, vocal, & available in an explicit way. Working w/ my colleagues to ensure that they're comfortable supporting, #critlib

A3: I've been heartened by increased and authentic practice around pronouns of reference on my campus #critlib

A3 curious how many folks have gender neutral bathroom facilities in their libraries--we have one but it's not easy to access. #critlib

A3 do you say "you guys" when referring to groups? maybe don't. #critlib

Totally. Want all bathrooms to be safe, not just on a couple floors. #critlib  https://twitter.com/zoh_zoh/status/872263621962850304 …

@Infinity_Dots Each sem, we host 6 teas. at each, a campus resource cntr staff & students present about the center and how to partner w/ the libs #critlib

@zoh_zoh We have one but it's in the coffee shop, which people think is closed over the summer #critlib

@zoh_zoh i remember one library on campus had a handicapped restroom that *could* be GN but it was all the way on the 1st floor #critlib

@zoh_zoh so not very convenient for those who need a single-stall room and/or the disabled #critlib

@Infinity_Dots This past year, the libs won an inaugural Campus Diversity Award, because students like the Diversi-tea series. They nominated us. #critlib

this is a habit that i really have to try hard to break, honestly #critlib  https://twitter.com/zoh_zoh/status/872263892466008074 …

@zoh_zoh however the allied media conference is hosted at my once-uni and they intentionally block off gender neutral bathrooms #critlib

A3 it can be hard esp. in a rural place to know where to go for medical services if someone chooses to transition #critlib

A1: also, we have the Oregon State Queer Archives:  http://guides.library.oregonstate.edu/osqa  which hosts super fun events #critlib

Q1. our queer communities. This means talking about language. Language is fluid & contested & that often makes folks nervous, #critlib

@brinepond y'all / yinz!! #critlib

@brinepond @zoh_zoh If only our small campus *had* a 1st floor. I try at least to tell people where both gendered bathrooms are when they ask. #critlib

A3 I have my pronouns in my email signature--another common practice that can be a nice way to show that pronouns can't be assumed #critlib

@lisahubbell @brinepond had this at my last job--men's one way, ladies the other. I always described directions to both both no matter who asked. #critlib

@zoh_zoh I'm lucky that we have a fully inclusive bathroom policy as a campus, I'm working this summer to make our signage less binarist. #critlib

Q4. Has anyone surveyed students, fac, staff to determine queer needs on campus?#critlib

I have a Safe Space Training sticker by my door #critlib

A3. One faculty member is now famous in Sweden as a trans* role model. Happy to show up for previews of her TV appearances there. #critlib

A4 our LGBTQ center has probably done this, but I'm not aware of their findings or the implications for the library. #critlib

Oof, good reminder. I'm not great at this #critlib  https://twitter.com/zoh_zoh/status/872263892466008074 …

This is usually LGBT Resource Center Director's job--unless institution has no LGBT resource center--libs can help of course #critlib  https://twitter.com/brinepond/status/872265859988942848 …

A3 Educate yourselves. If you're in a position of power (cannot stress this one enough) make it education/awareness a priority. #critlib

@ryansallans also @ryansallans is the bessst, very thankful I got to attend. Hire him if you can! #critlib

@kellymce Yes! We have a monthly faculty/ staff social. So much of our work focuses on our students, it's nice to have some balance #critlib

@voxpopulare perhaps an intentional collaboration btwn resource center and library is in order in some places? #critlib

Today, I spent 4 hrs formatting tables in my CV & my soul is dead. So excited for the #critlib summer bookclub w/@Linds_librarian tomorrow!

A3. Be political. Advocate for housing, food security, OER textbooks for students. Seek out oral histories from trans people #critlib

A4 at my prev job, I was fac advisor for the LGBTQ student group--they were v concerned about education, advocacy, and social opps #critlib

A4 I got an idea from a peer at @ILAACRL17 to get student feedback on out queer resource guide #critlib

A4 in terms of serving needs of queer comms, I think academic libraries could step up services and spaces--host events, be visible #critlib

@brinepond LGBT Cntr has complimented libs 4 being 1 of the most queer friendly campus spaces. GN restrooms. preferred names. staff trainings. #critlib

@kellymce We call it the Bates Faculty/ Staff LGBTQIA Affinity Group. The name needs some work. #queeratwork #critlib

@brinepond which means there is still work to be done! #critlib

A3 It's impossible to meet the needs of a community that you know nothing about. Best intentions are admirable, but not enough. #critlib

A3 oh, and CHECK YOUR DISCOVERY TOOL FOR TOP SEARCH RESULTS--I was horrified by the top result for "transgender" recently #critlib

@mbrookerob @kellymce The library survey would be about the library--but would collect demographic data. Most don't so we don't know what groups do what #critlib

@zoh_zoh "You guys" flows better w/ my Jersey accent, but I slowly making the change to "y'all". #critlib

Q5. Moving forward what do you consider to be a primary need for the queer communities on your campuses? #critlib

@bembrarian another librarian noticed that their top result was from "The Encyclopedia of Social Problems"--what does that tell trans students? #critlib

@brinepond @voxpopulare Yes! Partner w. the Center, so the lib can be the pilot for new signage, events, etc. It'll encourage other depts to get involved. #critlib

A5 physically prioritize the safety of your queer communities. folks should be able to pee, read, study, and browse without fear. #critlib

@brinepond Unity. Our campus queer communities are diverse and scattered, so do not have big obvious asks #critlib

@zoh_zoh @bembrarian That's terrible! I'm going to look more closely at our discovery layers tomorrow... #critlib

A5 I worry about queer students who 1) don't see themselves in our collex 2) feel unsafe in the bldg 3) get misgendered in classes #critlib

A1. Lots of pronoun orientation, at work and otherwise, on behalf of a non-binary loved one. "They" is not always plural or trans. #critlib

A5 I'm working on listening to my community and not making assumptions. My needs as a queer person aren't universal #critlib

Another question--are queer social media using students even looking for books like we did (and still do)? #critlib  https://twitter.com/zoh_zoh/status/872268987752738819 …

A5 I was overwhelmed by how students responded to my short talk about queer books--they were SO glad to see a librarian as an ally. #critlib

@voxpopulare queer students are likely researching topics near & dear to them--do we have resources that reflect their lives & interests? #critlib

A5 acquiring LGBT+ books that students will see and read is my main concern at my junior college #critlib

@zoh_zoh What venue did this talk take place? Was this in a class or a stand alone library event? Sounds awesome! #critlib

A5 Hold weekly office hours in the Diverse student center. Not everyone feels comfortable in the library #critlib

@Infinity_Dots we have a "discovery wall" in the library--open presentation wall in the middle of the library. very public space #critlib

A5 how do keep uptodate with new relevant queer books? #critlib Lambda Literary? GLBT Round Table?

@zoh_zoh At my library we do--most academic libraries do nowadays, or can get them through ILL. #critlib

@Infinity_Dots here's a pic of me presenting this talk at the discovery wall #critlib  https://twitter.com/AurariaLibrary/status/781560059419435008 …

@voxpopulare I've read about appreciation from queer teens that they can read YA romance as ebooks, without classmates seeing the covers. #critlib

@librarybell Held by professional staff? student employees? or both? We have experimented w/ both. Students connect better w/ other students #critlib

@andornotnear Follow all of them on social media! Also Publishing Triangle and others #critlib

A5 i try to make sure that we put up good displays for Pride and LGBT history month (basic level outreach, right?) #critlib

any last thoughts for tonight? would anyone like to volunteer to storify this, pretty please? #critlib

@andornotnear rainbow list!  http://glbtrt.ala.org/rainbowbooks/  and pay attention to what students are researching, how they describe their topics #critlib

A5 for example, students may be confused why "reassignment surgery" brings back more results than "gender confirmation" #critlib

A3 i gotta follow up to see how my library is doing on getting Gender Neutral restrooms... stuck in bureaucracy i feel #critlib

@voxpopulare @andornotnear didn't know about Lambda Literary or Publishing Triangle, thanks for this! #critlib

A5 We, collectively, need to do the work so queer communities don't have to. Be proactive, not reactive. #critlib

@librarybell That's wonderful that you're consistent with the hours of the service! #critlib

A2 i had to explain to my supervisor how having trans women in the Women's History Month display was not out of scope #critlib

@maxgbowman Most of the folks who have historically done this work were, are, and have been queer librarians--hard to take it from us :) #critlib

A5 There have been many occasions where,we've tried to educate ourselves in response to a problem. #critlib

A5 But the message that sends is that queer communities are creating the problems/are the problem. #critlib

A5 having a platform to meet others who share a similar identity as us is vital for our own mental health IMO #critlib

A1 visibility is still important (i heard some librarians wear rainbow stuff at public service points) #critlib

@andornotnear I have a giant rainbow flag in my office. I get questions about it regularly (incl. from coworkers!) #critlib

Thanks everybody for a productive, thought-provoking discussion! #critlib

@andornotnear Thanks for chipping away at the learning curve. #critlib

Any Storify volunteers for tonight's chat? Second call? #critlib

that's all for tonight folks, thanks for the chat! still looking for a kind soul to storify! #critlib

@Infinity_Dots Thank you for co-moderating! #critlib

A1 Ranges from visibility of staff to our preferred pronouns indicated on our nameplates at the desk or office doors. #critlib

yes, one time i overheard a male student say "that's not a woman" referring to a feminine student who walked by... #critlib  https://twitter.com/maxgbowman/status/872271290543034368 …

I think we need another one of these queer community in the library chats, in a month other than June #critlib

@brinepond If we don't get any Storify volunteers I can sleuth through it tomorrow morning and share the link! #critlib

@voxpopulare I agree. And one for public libraries too! #critlib

@voxpopulare @maxgbowman This has long been one of my areas of practice as an ally, learning at the feet of folks like Holly Near as a teenager. #critlib

A2 QPOC might feel excluded, so having more resources/guides etc. across the board #critlib

@zoh_zoh @andornotnear yeah, I have a pronoun button from @autostraddle on my cardigan and students have recognized it #critlib

Thanks to @brinepond and @Infinity_Dots for moderating! #critlib

@kellymce @andornotnear @autostraddle in case anyone else needs pronoun pins or a scissoring t-shirt ;) #critlib  https://www.hellomerch.com/collections/autostraddle …

@zoh_zoh @andornotnear @autostraddle conveniently, the scissoring stuff is also very zinester appropriate #critlib

A3 Having relevant & up to date resources accessible. We added a lot of new materials thanks to feedback #critlib

@kellymce @brinepond @Infinity_Dots Yes! Thanks to y'all! I think that's the most I've ever said in a #critlib meeting 😂

@kellymce @brinepond @Infinity_Dots Yes! ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜 Thanks to @brinepond @Infinity_Dots and all y'all for great #critlib chat tonight.

here's the storify for tonight's #critlib!  https://storify.com/brinepond/critlib-chat-06-06-17 …

@zoh_zoh 🙋 at least one on all 5 floors. One of the reasons I decided to work where I do now (though ofc there's still more work to be done) #critlib

Hello long time #critlib listener first time responder

This #critlib is our wheelhouse, sorry we missed it but much thanks for the storify  https://twitter.com/brinepond/status/872277254704943104 …

A2 (7) As librarians we need to find those nuances and lean into our discomfort to seek POCq voices, recog &act on our privileges #critlib

A3 (5) I've said this many times but our spaces and our collections send very explicit msgs about who we are & what we stand for #critlib

@brinepond A2 #critlib we see disabled students being left out due to our culture's application of asexuality to them

Thank you @Infinity_Dots and @brinepond for such wonderful questions and the labour of moderating - 1st #critlib convo was 👌

#queer #lgbtq #libraries #critlib  https://twitter.com/brinepond/status/872277254704943104 …

For those of you who need continous evidence that libraries aren't neutral. #critlib  https://twitter.com/AmeliaNGibson/status/872125818776023042 …

@Infinity_Dots @brinepond In light of #critlib tonight, I would recommend "Love Beyond Body, Space, and Time"  https://hopenicholson.com/projects/love-beyond-body-space-time/ …