Equality Impact Assessment: Libraries LGBT Provision

Deadline for comments 5th March 2010: Leave your comments here


LGBT Libraries Provision - Word doc

Lead Officer / Service: Gordon Anderson – Service Development Manager

Name and Designation of Officers

Pam McClean, Access Services Co-ordinator, Libraries and Community Facilities
Alan Dickson, Policy and Research Officer
Derek Patrick, Young Person’s Officer
Keiran McIvor, Assistant Policy and Research Officer

Date of Assessment: October 2009 – March 2010

Partners:

LGBT Youth Scotland
Glasgay
Private sector (book suppliers)
GULGB Glasgow University Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans Students' Association
Gay Outdoor Scotland
Affirmation Scotland
West of Scotland LGBT Forum
Glasgows Learning
Gordon Anderson – Service Development Manager

AIMS / OBJECTIVES

Background

Libraries have an important role to play in promoting equality by providing materials that reflect our diverse society. Under the new Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2007, it is illegal to discriminate on the grounds of sexuality in the provision of goods, facilities and services.

Chapman and Birdi (Public Library Journal |Spring 2008)) highlight research that shows that by providing LGBT-related fiction to under-18s it is good for their mental health and well-being. Research also shows that many LGBT people report that they knew they were ‘different’ from a young age and that lesbian/gay teenagers are 2-6 times more likely to commit suicide than teenagers overall. Fiction can also serve an especially vital role for LGBT teenagers by reflecting their own situations and the general benefits that reading offers are   Chapman and Birdi also draw attention to the fact that fiction featuring LGBT characters can “give heterosexual youth a picture of and perhaps some insight into the larger world around them.” However, they point out that some librarians may be unaware of this need for materials as LGBT/questioning young people may be reluctant to come forward.

Chapman and Birdi emphasise that there is increasing awareness of the need for materials for younger children that reflect a variety of family situations, in order to combat homophobic bullying and promote sexualities equality. They also highlight that the number of LGBT-headed families may be assumed to be rising since the Adoption and Children Act came into force on 30 December 2005, allowing same-sex couples to jointly adopt children.

In recognition of the discrimination and prejudice often experienced by LGBT people on the basis of their sexuality, Culture and Sport Glasgow’s Equality Policy (2009-11) identifies lesbians, gay men, and bisexual (LGB) people as a priority equality target group.  The organisation also acknowledges that transgender people experience discrimination as a result of their gender identity.

Aims of the function / policy

This Equality Impact Assessment is aimed at improving the stock policy in Glasgow Libraries for LGBT people and providing greater access to information for LGBT users and potential users alike. It seeks to establish what the impact of this change to the stock policy will have on LGBT people and to propose a set of actions that will help take forward improvements and mitigate any negative impacts.

Who is affected by the function / policy?

Users and potential users of the library service; specifically LGBT people

What are the key function / policy proposals?

Key objectives are to:
1. Review main stock policy to include written selection criteria for LGBT material, including under 18s
2. Make provision more accessible for LGBT users, including consideration of marketing and promotion of services to LGBT people.
3. Increased awareness of user needs with specific consideration given to LGBT people
4. Strengthen and improve links between library service, private and voluntary organisations.
5. Improve awareness of LGBT issues and improve the awareness of the target group in relation to library services and stock provision.