LGBTQIA+ Inclusive Children’s Librarianship: Policies, Programs, and Practices

This book breaks new ground, offering school and public librarians serving children in grades K-8 a roadmap for implementing and upholding queer-inclusive programs, policies, and services.

School and public librarians are serving ever greater numbers of LGBTQIA+ children and families. Transgender children may begin to express a strong sense of gender identity as early as 2-3 years of age. Children are also identifying as gay much sooner than earlier generations-often between the ages of 7 and 12. Additionally, more children than ever before are living with LGBTQIA+ caregivers.

In seeking to make our programs and services inclusive and equitable for these growing populations, librarians may court controversy and face community backlash from patrons who feel queer-inclusive content is inappropriate for young children. This book codifies a set of best practices for librarians as they rise to this challenge, defining queer-inclusive programs, identifying potential barriers to implementation, and offering strategies and resources to overcome them.

Focuses on inclusive library programs and services for children in grades K-8, not teens or adults

Pushes librarians to see beyond the collection when considering young LGBTQIA+ patrons’ needs

Guides librarians through the process of adapting their existing services and practices for greater inclusivity

Equips librarians to confront community pushback against inclusive children’s programming