Queerbrarians: Libraries, Pop Culture, and the LGBTQ+ Community
This past weekend, I had the pleasure of speaking on the Queerbrarians: Libraries, Pop Culture, and the LGBTQ+ Community panel at the 2019 Flame Con in New York City.
Flame Con, sponsored by Geeks OUT, a nonprofit organization,was the first and is the largest queer comic convention. “Featuring a two-day comics, arts and entertainment expo, showcasing creators and special guests from all corners of the LGBTQ fandom. It features thoughtful discussions, exclusive performances, screenings, cosplay and more!” (Flame Con.org/about).
During the 2017 Flame Con, my fellow panelist noticed there was a need for promoting library collections and services to the Flame Con community. Individuals were looking for suggestions on how to access queer media when my co-panelist exclaimed “go to your public library! You’ve already paid for those items”. And with that, Queerbrarians was born.
Flame Con, sponsored by Geeks OUT, a nonprofit organization,was the first and is the largest queer comic convention. “Featuring a two-day comics, arts and entertainment expo, showcasing creators and special guests from all corners of the LGBTQ fandom. It features thoughtful discussions, exclusive performances, screenings, cosplay and more!” (Flame Con.org/about).
During the 2017 Flame Con, my fellow panelist noticed there was a need for promoting library collections and services to the Flame Con community. Individuals were looking for suggestions on how to access queer media when my co-panelist exclaimed “go to your public library! You’ve already paid for those items”. And with that, Queerbrarians was born.
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| Screenshot of Flame Con ‘Queerbrarians’ panel description |
~ A queerbrarian is just your average librarian
who happens to be queer! ~
We first presented our Queerbrarians panel at the 2018 New York City Comic Con (NYCCC) Professional day. Here we were met with fellow librarians and educators to discuss our experience as queer librarians and how others can better their library for the queer community.
At Flame Con, while we had a handful of librarians in the crowd, a majority of our attendees were library patrons (or patrons to-be). We took this time to further demonstrate what libraries have to offer for the queer community and how they can further influence library materials and programs. We also discussed the importance of popular culture in shaping individuals identity and its ability to provide visibility for marginalized populations, including queer communities, which demonstrates diverse narratives found in such groups.
We concluded the discussion by demonstrating how patrons can make their library beneficial for them. Among the suggestions were signing up for a library card, checking out and requesting print and digital materials, and engaging on the libraries social media.
I could not have asked for a better group of panelists and an engaging crowd. I am eager to see how queerbrarians and their queerpatrons continue to influence their libraries in the years to come.
Recommended Resources
Interested in what it takes to become a librarian?
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| Image of 2019 Flame Con ‘Queerbrarians” panel audience. |
At Flame Con, while we had a handful of librarians in the crowd, a majority of our attendees were library patrons (or patrons to-be). We took this time to further demonstrate what libraries have to offer for the queer community and how they can further influence library materials and programs. We also discussed the importance of popular culture in shaping individuals identity and its ability to provide visibility for marginalized populations, including queer communities, which demonstrates diverse narratives found in such groups.
We concluded the discussion by demonstrating how patrons can make their library beneficial for them. Among the suggestions were signing up for a library card, checking out and requesting print and digital materials, and engaging on the libraries social media.
Image of “10 Things You Can Do to Make Your Library Work For You” handout
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I could not have asked for a better group of panelists and an engaging crowd. I am eager to see how queerbrarians and their queerpatrons continue to influence their libraries in the years to come.
Recommended Resources
Interested in what it takes to become a librarian?
Stay tuned for upcoming blog posts!
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