Week 14 Prompt: Collection Management Committee

Hi y'all

Let's talk shelving. Shelving is different in each library, not only in how books are separated but also in how they are cataloged. In most libraries, books are relatively separated by age groups: children, youths, young adults, and adults. The sections may include middle grades, juveniles, young adults, or new adults. Beyond age separations, the books are separated by genre, typically fiction, graphic fiction, graphic novels, and nonfiction. If the library has enough space and money, they can be separated by other genres, such as urban fiction and LGBTQ fiction. 

The prompt asks me to consider myself part of the collection management committee and whether or not to separate LGBTQ fiction and Urban fiction from the general collection. There are some base factors to consider when discussing expanding or separating the existing collection. Does the library have the space and budget to do so? And not always in that order. If you have the space, you can search the budget for the money. You may ask why we need money when we are just moving existing material? Well each section typically is allocated so much money. Does that mean these new sections are taken from the previous sections' allotment? If so, are you basing that amount on popularity or need? And now, this is space to consider. How much of the last section is going to this new space? How will you display this space so the patron knows that Urban Fiction and LGBTQ fiction are on their own now? Also, is this for each age group? Do they each get a new display area, or would you just put every book that falls under this category together? Which, just saying, would probably cause trouble or confusion putting all age groups together. 

That was a lot of hypothetical questions. Hypothetically, let's say the library has the space and the money to support the separation. I would still disagree with separating the genres from the general collection. Separating the sections has potential benefits and disadvantages. According to Kara Yorio and Kathy Ishizuka (2018), "Shelving separately might make it easier for students and patrons to find those books, but the "othering" creates a problem" (par.7) Some might feel like it's amazing to easily identify and celebrate these genres on their own, however, I think it would feel more separate than together. "Sins Bishop argues that books can serve as mirrors that reflect the world of the readers, windows that offer readers glimpses of another world, or sliding glass doors that allow readers to enter into and become immersed in someone else's reality" (Schofield & Sullivan, 2021, p.24). I agree completely with this quote! Another favorite quote of mine, this one by Stephen King, "books are a uniquely portable magic." Books have the power to influence people's opinions or enrich their lives; however, separating books can also lead to more stiff reading. Browsing the whole collection offers more choices and the opportunity to read a book that a reader wouldn't have discovered otherwise. Authors may write in different genres, exposing the readers to new ideas or concepts. By separating the genres, the readers may feel more wary of trying the books. 

Also, separating genres outright is a big change for the community, for some, it would expose books that they are not comfortable with. Being comfortable is not necessarily a reason why not to do something, especially when change is required for the betterment of the whole community, but it is something to acknowledge. According to Laurel Tarulli (2018), "Whether you work in a small library, special library, or large public library, the demand for this collection and the information it provides is growing. It's also an opportunity for conversations. Frequently, there are groups of teens gathered in the library talking about these books, and recommending others that they are reading" (p. 250). Books featuring LGBTQ fiction and Urban Fiction should be celebrated and talked about! They involve some of the most magical and engaging storylines in recent decades! Heartstoppers, by Alice Oseman, comes to mind.  

While I wouldn't vote to separate the genres, I would suggest different ways to highlight them. Genre stickers are a great way to showcase different features while still keeping the collection together. It's typically done for fantasy, horror, western, or romance books, so using a sticker to highlight LGBTQ fiction and Urban Fiction can show that the library places just as much emphasis on them. Finally, each community is different, and librarians, as well as their communities, have to accurately reflect their community's needs and desires. If this is something that the community wants, then it's the library's responsibility to consider their opinion. To quiet nay-sayers, surveys can be sent out to the community to cage their reactions. A vital factor to remember when doing these surveys is that adolescents' responses have to be considered. Guardians might disapprove of creating an LGBTQ fiction section or an Urban Fiction section based on the concept that it's inappropriate, while adolescents desperately want a section focusing on these genres.

References

Oseman, A. (2018). Heartstopper: Volume 1. Selfpublished. 

Schofield, J., & Sullivan, M. (2021). Diverse books in all book clubs: Making the case for selection criteria. Public Libraries, 60(4), 22–27. 

Tarulli, L. (2018). Gender, sexuality, and identity in fiction: Suggesting new titles to make all readers feel like they belong. Reference & User Services Quarterly, 57(4), 248–250. https://doi.org/10.5860/rusq.57.4.6701 

Yorio, K., & Ishizuka, K. (2018, October 26). Shelving debate: To separate or integrate?. School Library Journal. https://www.slj.com/story/shelving-debate-separate-or-integrate.