i like emerald curry, but Ann Curry is easy to digest and keeps you wanting more

I was not what you would call a typical “popular” kid in high school, but I was known; therefore, when I was 16 and I started dating one of my friends that was a girl, the word of our relationship spread quite fast. I have never been one to be afraid of confrontation; therefore, when caught wind of the rumors that we were have having sex in the bathroom, mind you I was a virgin during the entirety of the relationship, I quickly approached the source of the slander. While I was not hesitant to be out at school I was nervous to be out at home and in other public places. I was raised by an Italian catholic mother. Although she had the occasional gay male friend I was never exposed to lesbians via my mother or father. As it was
implied, gay men know style and lesbians just are not prevalent. I knew that if my mom found out she would be very disappointed in me – and to me that was worse than her being angry. My mother and I were very close but have always been very different. She was and is conservative where I am not at all. I confided in her about most things, but I knew that the line had been drawn at my sexuality; therefore, I searched friends that were similar to me. By the time I was 17 I started sneaking off to dance clubs and hanging out with an older crowd. Thanks to my sister I had a fake ID that said I was 21; therefore, I wasn’t limited to underage clubs. Through my older friends and friends of friends I found comfort in my sexuality. It was only when I was 22 and in a serious relationship with a woman that I began looking for lesbian literature. I was working at a library and a bookstore, but I did not feel comfortable searching for queer literature at my university’s library because there would be a record of what I decided to check out – and I was interested in checking out some lesbian erotica. I wasn’t concerned about “if I ask, will they answer” I was concerned about; “if I ask or check out will I get fired” (Savannah, Georgia is quite conservative).

I commend the research collected and presented by Ann Curry in her article, “If I ask, Will They Answers: Evaluating Public Library Reference Service to Gay and Lesbian Youth”. I believe that this research is extremely important not only because it speaks volumes about youths receiving unbiased library service, but it demonstrates that there are concerns for GBLTQ patron’s information needs.

I loved the introduction to the article. I was unaware of the history of the Library of Congress’ representation “lesbians” and “homosexual males”. I was quiet offended that there was a “see also” reference to “sexual perversion”. The Gay and Lesbian Task Force illustrate how an active approach to a problem of representation can produce significant results.

I particularly liked the method of collected data through unobtrusive observation. I do not see this type of data collection as a problem. In fact, not only were the researchers collecting data and protecting the anonymity of the librarians they were presenting data to back to the libraries; therefore, taking an active approach by either telling those branches that did a good job and how, or telling those that did poorly why and hopefully, the manager or chief librarian will review with his or her staff the shortcomings and how to change them.

This article has left me wondering, has this type of research been conducted within the TPL? More specifically, has there been research on the North York branch to see if the librarians there are adequately serving the GBLTQ youth?

Over the next week I will be looking into the questions stated above and looking to see if there is similar research carried out by a different methodology. Until then, this article has a great reference list that I will also be checking out.

Curry, Ann. 2005. If I ask, will they answer? Evaluating public library reference service to gay and lesbian youth. Reference & User Services Quarterly 45(1): 65-74.

i like rap but i love RAPP

After taking Paulette's other course, FIS 2139, last semester I surprised myself by actually considering becoming a children's librarian. I have never been one to "oooohhh" and "aaawwwww" over babies or toddlers. I do not have the immediate connection to children. However, I do have an immediate connection to the books for children. Unfortunately, a love for children’s materials is not enough to be a children’s librarian. Sandra Feinberg, Joan Kuchner and Sari Feldman illustrate the aforementioned point in “Chapter 1: Family centered and developmentally appropriate practice” in their book Learning environments for young children: Rethinking library spaces and services. “In order for the child to thrive, the physical setting and the social interactions within that setting must be suitable for the age of the child and right for the particular individual. This premise is basic to the design of the developmentally appropriate environments for children” (4). The authors continue to inform the reader about the stages of infants, toddlers, preschoolers and primary grade children’s social, emotional and physical developmental stages and . While the authors appear to be quite knowledgeable and the reference list is extensive, the lack of in-text documentation is alarming. Not only is it disturbing because the reader does not know which idea is linked to which reference, but also a lack of in-text documentation makes the author’s ideas seem unreliable. I was also troubled by varying amount of coverage on the stages of children’s development. Three pages were dedicated to the “developmental realities [of] infants and toddlers”, while only one and a half page were used to describe “the preschool years”, and a half a page to describe “the primary grades”.


It was interesting to read about developmentally appropriate practices for children in libraries, but as stated above, I do not connect or have a passion for the wee ones. Contrarily, I have a strong interest, not only in young adult materials, but the development of young adults. This may be due to the fact that I still act and think I am 17, also known as experiencing middle adolescence. Melanie Rapp, in her article “Adolescent development: an emotional roller coaster”, describes three distinct developmental stages of young adults: early adolescence, middle adolescence and late adolescence. She suggests using humor when dealing with young adults. From my own adolescence experience, I always felt a sense of admiration for adults that were humorous. Another suggestion she puts forward as did Sandra Feinberg, Joan Kuchner and Sari Feldman to be involved with other community organizations or schools. That is a great idea for suggesting organizations and keeping up-to-date with what school’s perception of high school student needs are. I like how Rapp tells the reader not to just pay attention to circulation statistics when deciding to weed the collection: “For example many sex books may not be heavily circulated but are read extensively... Once can tell by the tattered edges and covers of these books how much they are being used, not to mention if they are interfiled with the cookbooks” (3). She goes on to highlight other ideas to keep in mind when organizing the collection for young adults—BRILLIANT IDEAS!


This is one article that I will be reviewing before I go to my young adult’s librarian interview.

Feinberg, Sandra, Joan F. Kuchner, and Sari Feldman. 1998. Ch. 1: Family centered and developmentally appropriate practice. In their Learning environments for young children: Rethinking library spaces and services, 3-13. Chicago: American Library Association.


Rapp, Melanie. 1998. Adolescent development: An emotional roller coaster. In Young adults and public libraries: A handbook of materials and services, edited by Mary Anne Nicholls and C. Allen Nichols, 1-10. Westport, CO: Greenwood Press.