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.