Prompt: To Separate or Not to Separate?

The question of whether to separate African-American or GBLTQ fiction from the general fiction section is a question that should be answered based on your particular library and patronage. At my library we have a fairly large readership of African-American books, but we really don't have room to have a separate section for that sub-genre. Other libraries in the system do have a separate section for those books. Patrons travel around the system all the time and so far no one to my knowledge has made a major fuss over either way the books are shelved. What we have done at my library is to designate the African-American books and the Christian fiction with stickers on the spine. That way people looking for those particular fiction books can easily find them. I suppose some people could complain that those books are being stigmatized, but most people are appreciative that they can go right to the shelf to browse and if they are looking for a particular type of book they can be guided to them without wasting time on other stuff.

As regards GBLTQ fiction, it is just mixed in with the fiction without any particular designation. One patron came across a book with homosexual themes and let us know that she wasn't particularly pleased, but she didn't blame it on us or require that certain authors be placed elsewhere. In fact, she didn't even change libraries. I think in spite of all the conflict displayed in the media over things like this, most people are capable of realizing that just because we are not in agreement doesn't mean we are at war, and that not everything that doesn't go their way is done deliberately and with calculation to offend them.

I don't think there is one particular answer to questions like this one, but that the librarian should do what will work for the branch he/she works at. You are always going to have people who are happy to get offended no matter what you do, but most patrons realize that they are not the only people we serve, and that we really are doing our best to be fair and impartial with regards to how library materials are shelved.