LGBTQIA+ Studies

The book used as a theoretical underpinning for this project was Cruising the Library, by Melissa Adler. This book laid out the history of the call numbers and subject headings related to LGBTQIA+ materials - specifically in the call number range of the HQ 70's, which is the region that we reviewed as well. These materials started, with the start of the Library of Congress in the late 19th century, in the section for sexual deviance. These call numbers are part of the social sciences, and followed the clinical and psychological definitions. "Homosexuality" was removed from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) in 1973. So it was only after this point that this call number range really started to open up and get detailed subdivisions. This process is still ongoing, with "Gender Non-Conforming" being an example of a subject heading that was only just added in early 2018.

Normally, once a book is on the shelf in a location, it stays there and does not receive much new attention. That means that the systemic changes to Library of Congress call numbers, and the addition of new subject headings, would not immediately be reflected in older books. Updating these was one large piece of the work detailed on this page. Another large element of the work was removing many of the outdated materials - especially those treating homosexuality as a psychological disorder.

In early March 2018, the librarians at the Egan Library were joined by members of the Campus Inclusivity Alliance for a "weeding party," where a section of books were reviewed for the decision to keep or to "weed" (remove) the materials from the collection. Materials were reviewed from Library of Congress call numbers HQ60-80 or so, as well as a handful of items from other parts of the library (mainly a few literature and psychiatry books). Not all of the books were reviewed at that time, but together quite a few got an initial look, with opinions expressed. Discussions were also had as to the merits of many of the materials.

In discussions prior to the weeding party, CIA made clear that they understood that it was important to keep materials that helped show the history of thought in the various topics, but that some materials were quite simply dated or obsolete. Also there were many problematic elements related to the adjacency of some items. There was also a discussion about how some books should probably be in other sections of the library, like literature or anthropology or religion, rather than considering these as books solely about LGBTQIA+ people. So between discussions and review notes left on materials, students were able to help shape the decision making process that went into this section moving forward.

During summer 2018, Technical Services Librarian David Cox completed review of the 166 books pulled in the HQ weeding party. 65 books were weeded outright, another 49 books received new call numbers (some remaining in HQ in newer call numbers, some heading to other regions of the library), and 52 books are staying where they were. A notable section that received new call numbers (and heavy weeding) were the large section on sexual deviance (such as incest), the remaining books of which have found a new home in criminology or anthropology or psychiatry, rather than remaining immediately before the various LGBTQIA+ call numbers.

New materials were purchased at the end of last fiscal year, and some further books this year, with at least 20 new books coming in - adding to call numbers in the range we were missing, updating outdated materials, and generally adding newer discussions to the materials. Most of these books can currently be found on a Featured Books Shelf, with some also on New Books. We also added a standing order to the well reviewed series "Intersections," and purchased several of the older titles: https://nyupress.org/series/intersections/. This way, we know that quality new materials will keep coming to the library even if we lose focus on this subject at times. New requests still happily accepted for other materials to purchase.