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An Assessment of Frequently Challenged LGBTQ Books in Alabama Public Libraries
Tuesday, March 06, 2018, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT
Category: Webinar

Register for the Webinar

Presented by MCIRT

Description: Public libraries often strive to be regarded as safe, judgement-free spaces for all community members. Recent years have seen an increased awareness of the civil rights of members of the LGBTQ community. Though our government has made great strides in working to make sure that LGBTQ individuals have their civil rights protected, there has been push back in some areas, especially in the “Bible Belt” (the southeastern United States). Has this push back affected a library’s ability to be an inclusive space for LGBTQ individuals? This webinar will take a preliminary look at this question by assessing the availability of LGBTQ resources in Alabama public libraries. The information based only on books in ALA’s top ten most challenged books that were challenged for LGBTQ content and only assessed county-wide collections in the state of Alabama that have OPACs available online. However, this gives some preliminary insights into how well the LGBTQ community is supported in various counties across the state and where true deficits exist.

Speaker: Sonja Sheffield

Ms. Sheffield graduated in December of 2016 with her MLIS from the University of Southern Mississippi. She worked at the University of South Alabama for 9 years and currently works at an engineering firm in Mobile, Alabama. She is interested in making libraries inclusive, equal access and freedom of information.


Contact: Muriel Nero, [email protected]