“What is a wave but 1000 drops working together?”: The role of public libraries in addressing LGBTQIA+ health information disparities
ISSN: 0022-0418
Article publication date: 26 December 2023
Issue publication date: 22 February 2024
Abstract
Purpose
This paper presents results from a participatory action research study with 46 LGBTQIA+ community leaders and 60 library workers who participated in four community forums at public libraries across the US. The forums identified barriers to LGBTQIA+ communities addressing their health questions and concerns and explored strategies for public libraries to tackle them.
Design/methodology/approach
Forums followed the World Café format to facilitate collaborative knowledge development and promote participant-led change. Data sources included collaborative notes taken by participants and observational researcher notes. Data analysis consisted of emic/etic qualitative coding.
Findings
Results revealed that barriers experienced by LGBTQIA+ communities are structurally and socially entrenched and require systematic changes. Public libraries must expand their strategies beyond collection development and one-off programming to meet these requirements. Suggested strategies include outreach and community engagement and mutual aid initiatives characterized by explicit advocacy for LGBTQIA+ communities and community organizing approaches.
Research limitations/implications
Limitations include the sample's lack of racial diversity and the gap in the data collection period between forums due to COVID-19. Public libraries can readily adopt strategies overviewed in this paper for LGBTQIA+ health promotion.
Originality/value
This research used a unique methodology within the Library and Information Science (LIS) field to engage LGBTQIA+ community leaders and library workers in conversations about how public libraries can contribute to LGBTQIA+ health promotion. Prior research has often captured these perspectives separately. Uniting the groups facilitated understanding of each other's strengths and challenges, identifying strategies more relevant than asking either group alone.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Since submission of this article, the following author have updated their affiliations: Travis L. Wagner is at the School of Information Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA.
This research was funded by the Institute for Museum of Library Services (IMLS) and part of a larger project entitled, Examining Public Library Service to LGBTQ Communities for Health-related Information. The funding period for the project is from 09/01/18 to 03/31/23. The PI on this project is Vanessa L. Kitzie. For more information, the project website can be accessed via the following link: http://bit.ly/hiplgbtq
Citation
Kitzie, V., Vera, A.N., Lookingbill, V. and Wagner, T.L. (2024), "“What is a wave but 1000 drops working together?”: The role of public libraries in addressing LGBTQIA+ health information disparities", Journal of Documentation, Vol. 80 No. 2, pp. 533-551. https://doi.org/10.1108/JD-06-2023-0122
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2023, Emerald Publishing Limited