Queerifying the Catalogue at Oxford County libraries At the Ontario Library Association’s Super Conference in Toronto, three staff members from Oxford County Library presented “Queerifying the Catalogue,” which detailed their two-year project to enhance 2SLGBTQ+ representation in their library collection. The project aimed to make the library’s queer collection more visible and accessible to patrons by improving classification and visual representation. Initially, the library staff noticed that the L and G components of the queer collection were overrepresented, prompting them to ensure that the remaining 2SLGBTQIA+ community were also included. The Oxford County Library Team shared their strategies for achieving meaningful representation for the entire queer community in the library’s collections and subject headings. These included establishing quotas for item requests/purchases, adding LC and Local subject headings, tracking usage, and promoting collections through special spine labels, book lists, and displays. The presentation was highly successful and drew a significant audience at the conference, with many Canadian libraries expressing interest in implementing similar changes in their own systems.
voice, my losing my hair….everything. I couldn't have asked for a better person to grow through everything with! Today, do I experience negativity on my transition? I think the negativity would have been people misgendering me, not using my correct name, and using the wrong pronouns. But for the most part, it was people outside of my circle. I constantly told myself I would likely never see these people again and walked away. That was one way to keep my mental health sane as I transitioned. How is my life now? I couldn't ask for a better life! I have been married to the most amazing person, my partner, for nine years. They are my best friend, my confidant, and the person I look forward to seeing the most when I wake up and go to bed. I have a 15-year-old kiddo who is awesome and will stand up for anyone no matter who they are, what they believe, or how they identify. I couldn't ask for a better Canadian family, and my family in Wisconsin is amazing too. I also was able to become part of the 2SLGBTQIA community in London by joining groups like Trans* London and pflag London. The friends I have met through both of these organizations have been lifelong and priceless. Many of them have become chosen family. What advice would I give to others? I would say be yourself! Be whom you are truly meant to be. I understand the need to hide if it's for safety reasons; but come out to Trans* London, come out to pflag! You can use the washroom to change into clothes that are more who you are. Just come out and be around safe people. Life is too short not to be happy. Ask questions, and talk to people. Join groups on the internet or in person. London has a lot happening for the 2LGBTQIA+ community!
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PRIDE Villager
Page 11 Issue 10 • Spring 2023
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