#library guide

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It's International Skeptics Day!

Did you know we have a Library guide that covers conspiracy theories, moral panics, and urban legends?

Sharpen your critical thinking skills at https://LibGuides.SouthernCT.edu/conspiracy/

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After learning about the Black Swamp game we had to do a catalog search to see what other games are lurking in the archives.

Presenting Library Monopoly, a 1967 guide to the then brand new Jerome Library.

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Heyo it’s back to school time and here’s a research tip from your friendly neighborhood academic librarian.When searching for any topic on the internet just type in the word ‘libguide’ after your topic and tada like magic there will be several  beautifully curated lists of books, journals, articles, or other resources dealing with your subject. Librarians create these guides to help with folks’ informational needs, so please go find one and make a librarian happy today!!

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7 Articles

GLBTRT Stonewall Book Awards List

The Stonewall Book Awards List is comprised of titles that “have been honored for exceptional merit relating to the gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender experience.” There are several different versions of the Stonewall Book Awards, the one most relevant to the needs of the young adult LGBTQ+ population being the Stonewall Honor Books in Children’s and Young Adult Literature. This list, curated by the GLBTRT: a Round Table of the American Library Association, includes all the titles that have received this award since its beginnings in 1971. This list provides what are considered the most revered titles in LGBTQ fiction and nonfiction, and thus these books should provide an exceptional reading experience for those who happen upon them. This list was included to provide young queer people with critically acclaimed YA LGBTQ+ titles, as such works are supposed to be of high quality. The list is easily navigable with hyperlinks to the various years the awards have been presented, as well as OCLC WorldCat links for every book listed, along with author, publishing company and location, and ISBN. The list thus connects the reader to access points to get the books, as well as titles that are highly revered as works with LGBTQ+ themes.

“Stonewall Book Awards List.” GLBTRT: A Round Table of the American Library Association, American Library Association, 24 Apr. 2018, www.ala.org/rt/glbtrt/award/stonewall/honored.

BookRiot: Where to Start with Bi & Lesbian YA

Danika Ellis’s BookRiot article on “Where to State with Bi & Lesbian YA” presents an access point for bisexual and lesbian identifying young adult readers interested in the themes related to the identity. Ellis includes 12 young adult titles with sapphic themes, as well as links to several other book recommendation lists with sapphic or LGBTQ+ themes. Though this list of works is created based on Ellis’s reading preferences of quiet, thoughtful, and diverse characterization as general themes, the recommendation include several inclusive works that shed a light on books for female identifying persons who are attracted to other female identifying persons. This list was included to provide representation to young “women-loving-women” and bisexual/pansexual women. As noted in the introduction, finding characters to identify with or ones that help create better understanding of identity can lead to improved self-esteem in young adults, thus including works relating to a variety of identities is pertinent. Also as previously stated, this list is diverse and inclusive, as many of the titles focus on characters a part of minorities other than the LGBTQ+ community, being latinx and black characters, as well as transgender women-loving-women. The author is witty and clear about they enjoy the titles included, thus making this article an easy read for young adults searching for sapphic titles.

Ellis, Danika. “Where To Start with Bi & Lesbian YA.” Book Riot, Riot New Media Group, 1 Mar. 2018, www.bookriot.com/2018/03/02/where-to-start-bi-lesbian-ya/.

GLAAD: Boy Meets Book: 4 Young Adult Novels That Taught Me It Was Okay to Be Gay

Adrian Vega narrates his experience as a young gay man first discovering a work that affirmed his queer identity in the article “Boy Meets Book: 4 Young Adult Novels That Taught Me It Was Okay to Be Gay.” This work was written for GLAAD’s series amp, a digital curation of articles by young queer people. Vega discusses his experience of first discovering the title “Boy Meets Boy” by David Levithan, and the titles that followed as his favorite works that affirmed his identity as a young gay man. Each of the 4 titles included, as well as the “honorable mentions” are works that have characters/individuals featured who identify as men who are attracted to men. This work is effective for young gay men who are looking for materials that feature characters similar to themselves or narratives relative to their experiences. This list of suggestions was curated from the perspective of an individual who endured the process of understanding his own identity as a young gay man, and thus has first-hand knowledge. The article details short summaries of the main titles featured, and finishes with links to articles regarding other LGBTQ+ identities in books. Each feature discusses the relevance to gay male identity, and thus draws the connection between the individual who may be interested in the work and the titles.

Vega, Adrian. “Boy Meets Book: 4 Young Adult Novels That Taught Me It Was Okay to Be Gay.” GLAAD, Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, 5 June 2018, www.glaad.org/amp/4-young-adult-novels-okay-to-be-gay.

The B&N Teen Blog: 10 Great YA Novels with Transgender/Nonbinary Main Characters

Another aspect of LGBTQ+ identity is gender identity, including transgender, nonbinary, or gender nonconforming identities. Dahlia Adler notes young adult novels featuring characters of these identities in “10 Great YA Novels with Transgender/Nonbinary Main Characters,” featured on the Barnes & Noble Teen Blog. Several of the featured titles on the list are written by authors of the same identity, creating a secondary layer of understanding for the community. Adler provides a summary of each title and details about the main characters’ identities, thus providing background for interested readers. Adler also introduces a few titles for middle grade readers, as well as other resources to find similar literature. This article was included to provide insight on works that transgender, nonbinary, or gender nonconforming young people can reach for to find storylines similar to their own and relatable characters. The article details a wide variety of individuals under the “gender identity” umbrella, providing a diverse base for readers to work off of.  

Adler, Dahlia. “10 Great YA Novels with Transgender/Nonbinary Main Characters.” The B&N Teen Blog, Barnes & Noble Reads, 28 July 2017, www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/teen/10-great-ya-novels-transgendernonbinary-main-characters/.

Goodreads: Graphic Novels Featuring LGBTQ Themes

Goodreads’ Listopia features several crowd-sourced lists for all types of readers, and graphic novel readers are no different. The list “Graphic Novels Featuring LGBTQ Themes” is curated by members of the Goodreads community, featuring titles with LGBTQ characters, plots, and themes. Goodreads community members can vote for titles to be added to the list, and titles featuring the most votes for applicability to the theme of the list are typically featured at the top. Though the works are not organized by identity, clicking through to any of the titles featured will take you to a summary of the work, which will often mention details about what characters are in the queer community. This list was included for its feature of several different LGBTQ+ identities, as well as its main focus being graphic novels. Most young adult libraries will include a separate graphic novel section for more visual readers (or simply for those who enjoy the format), so noting LGBTQ+ works that would fit in those sections is an important step in curating a well-rounded teen collection.

“Graphic Novels Featuring LGBTQ Themes (538 Books).” Goodreads: Listopia, Goodreads, Inc., 2018, www.goodreads.com/list/show/17732.Graphic_Novels_Featuring_LGBTQ_Themes.

Teen Vogue: 25 Movies About LGBTQ People That You Need to Watch

Most libraries will feature a section dedicated solely to films and television shows, so having curated lists for teen viewers is necessary in efforts to feature diverse materials. The Teen Vogue “25 Movies About LGBT People That You Need to Watch” list features films with several different LGBTQ+ identities and plot lines, some being adaptations of novels featured on previous articles. The article focuses on curating a list that doesn’t reinforce harsh stereotypes of the LGBTQ+ community. Though a majority of the films included feature lesbian or gay relationships, there are a few that include characters that are transgender. As Hollywood is still catching up on featuring diverse identifying casts, the list does not feature the same diversity that some of the book suggestions do, but does well enough to mention titles that affirm portions of LGBTQ+ identity. This list is intended to help young queer people find film titles in the library that they can watch and relate to.

Gutowitz, Jill. “25 Movies About LGBTQ People That You Need to Watch.” Teen Vogue, Condé Nast, 28 June 2018, www.teenvogue.com/gallery/best-lgbtq-movies-to-watch.

Billboard: 25 New LGBTQ Anthems (Updated 2018)

As libraries curate more diverse material, CDs and music streaming have become a part of the materials “beyond books.” That being said, many libraries still offer physical CDS and music streaming through the app “Freegal,” so noting LGBTQ+ musicians is yet another way to feature representation for young queer people. Music is another form of media that is popular among teens, and thus is an easy way to present relatable material. The Billboard “25 NEw LGBTQ Anthems” features artists who are in (or allies to) the LGBTQ+ community creating music about their experiences or presenting messages of acceptance. These songs feature story lines that speak on queer experiences or validate identities, some making explicit statements regarding queer identity and other more vague. These 27 songs all include the artist(s) featured on the song, providing young patrons the information they need to search their music streaming or catalogs for the artists. Though the songs don’t all detail the identity they associate with, this overview of queer anthems presents young queer people with yet another material to associate their identity with and retrieve validation from.

Youtt, Henry, and Alexa Shouneyia. “25 New LGBTQ Anthems (Updated 2018).” Billboard, Billboard, 28 June 2018, www.billboard.com/photos/7825688/modern-lgbtq-anthems-troye-sivan-ariana-grande-hayley-kiyoko.

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5 Books

Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out by Susan Kuklin

Beyond Magneta: Transgender Teens Speak Out by Susan Kuklin is a Stonewall Honor Book that takes on the “life, love, and struggles of transgender teens,” according to Walker Books and Subsidiaries. This nonfiction title focuses on six young adults who identify as transgender or gender neutral, documenting pieces of their young life with photos and first-hand discussion about their journey through gender identity. The real stories of these young adults explain the meaning of being transgender or gender neutral, experiences with this identity, and the sometimes brutal reality of living life with a different gender identification than expected by society. This source was included as a gateway into understanding firsthand, young adult accounts of gender identity in the LGBTQ+ community, as it’s a pertinent issue of the current times. Given the rise of conflicts regarding transgender and gender-nonconforming identity. It effectively accounts a young person’s gender identity journey through multiple personal sources, giving a point of connection for several types of gender identities. This source is multifaceted and should be included in any LGBTQ+ collection, but most certainly one pertaining to young adults on their own identity journeys.

Kuklin, Susan. Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out. Walker Books and Subsidiaries, 2016.

This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson and Spike Gerrell

This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson and Spike Gerrell is another holistic title that helps those in the LGBTQ+ community learn more about their identity. The book’s premise is to define the several identities encompassed in the queer community, from gender to sexual identity spectrums, and explore stories of people in these identities. The book perpetuates the idea throughout that whatever your identity may be, it’s a good one and it is valid. Though there are identities left out that have become far more relevant in recent years, such as pansexual, asexual, and nonbinary, the work does introduce a straightforward means of defining gay, bisexual, and lesbian identities. The work provides guidance specifically for young, gay, cis-gendered men, as the author is a gay, cis-gendered man and bases much of the work on his own experiences. Though limited and somewhat dated, this title provides an accepting message and guidance for the harder-to-reach male population of the young adult library, and to that end the gay male population. The poignant and entertaining work is still worth a read for an introduction into the LGBTQ+ community.

Dawson, Juno, and Spike Gerrell. This Book Is Gay. Sourcebooks, 2015.

Top 250 LGBTQ Books for Teens : Coming Out, Being Out, and the Search for Community by Michael Cart and Christine Jenkins

For the young, queer person who is unsure of where to start, Top 250 LGBTQ Books for Teens by Michael Cart and Christine Jenkins is an easy jumping point. Published by an imprint of the American Library Association, this work provides snapshots of what are considered the “250 best books for LGBTQ teens, written by experts on the subject and address to teen book buyers,” according to the overview provided by the American Library Association. Titles include a variety of subcategories and identities, working to encompass every type of teen reader and every type of queer identity possible, including fiction, nonfiction, graphic novels, and classic works. Though the work is organized by author (and may have served better with a different organization tactic), the work is still accessible and thorough in its understanding of each title reviewed within. The work is included for the teens who may need guidance for where to start on titles that may be relevant to them or others in the community. Its effective in detailing the relevance of the title and what identity it may address, which can give young queer people a starting point for good, comprehensive works relevant to their personal experience.

Cart, Michael, and Christine Jenkins. Top 250 Lgbtq Books for Teens : Coming Out, Being Out, and the Search for Community. Huron Street Press, an Imprint of the American Library Association, 2015.

All Out:The No-Longer-Secret Stories of Queer Teens throughout the Ages by Anna-Marie McLemore et al

All Out: The No-Longer-Secret Stories of Queer Teens throughout the Ages, edited by Saundra Mitchell, is a compilation of historical fiction short-stories that are all based on LGBTQ+ characters, with all LGBTQ+ authors. This collection features a variety of characters and identities in all historical ages, and all curated by young adult authors from a variety of backgrounds. There are transgender, gay, lesbian, asexual, and more identifying characters in the short stories, and each story pays close attention to historical detail. Given that there aren’t many LGBTQ+ short story compilations, this one does well to start a sure-fire trend. All Out is included for the young queer people interested in historical fiction, short stories, or simply teens who enjoy several stories compiled around a theme. As it is important to include a variety of materials in young adult libraries, this work is a standout in its unique nature and excellent quality.

McLemore, Anna-Marie, et al. All Out. Edited by Saundra Mitchell, Harlequin Teen, 2018.

Simon Vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

Simon Vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli is one of the most popular and current LGBTQ+ young adult novels, thanks to recent release of the film Love, Simon, based on the novel. The work focused on a young teen named Simon who struggles to come out as gay, all while traversing the terrain that is being a teenager. Simon is blackmailed with his hidden sexuality by a fellow student, which ultimately leads to Simon being outed. However, this coming of age story makes the best of the bad situation with a romantic and happy ending. The work is incredibly relevant to the young, modern queer person as it incorporates the challenges of social media, the internet age, and what friendships look like for the current teen. Though focused on one young gay male, this story is relevant and heartwarming with the level of acceptance Simon receives, and sets an example for teens, family, and friends of young queer people on how to properly receive someone who has “come out” as a LGBTQ+ identity. This work of fiction effectively executes the trials of “coming out” and being a modern teen, and thus is relevant to the current teen queer population and allies alike.  

Albertalli, Becky. Simon Vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda. First ed., Balzer Bray, an Imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, 2015.

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3 Websites

Them. - News, Culture and Current Events Coverage for the LGBTQ Community

Them. is a young community platform for sharing news, culture, and opinions on the LGBTQ+ community, launched in October of 2017. Users can subscribe to the platform via email, or connect through social media platforms of Instagram, Facebook, or Youtube. Them. includes the pieces of you average young adult magazine - horoscopes, columns on cultural issues, media recommendations, and of course, news about all things LGBTQ+. Them. also uses its platform to inform members about issues within the community and questions community members may have about other terms of the LGBTQ+ people, such internalized trans- or bi-phobia, and information about what it means to be intersex. With a simplistic and pastel website layout, Them. is navigable and an easy way to connect with LGBTQ+ issues. Its inclusion is based on the need for digital connections in the LGBTQ+ community that are not always resource-based - meaning, that aren’t nonprofit advocacy organizations. Them. is a platform through which young queer people can either passively or actively interact with the LGBTQ+ community by learning about points of culture and news. Because there are few periodicals that are geared directly at teens of all identities and sexualities, Them. provides a gender-neutral platform with its neutral pronoun title and information about everyone inside the LGBTQ+ spectrum, without the push to be a major community advocate. However, one major pitfall of Them. is its lack of searchability. The website boasts an amazing amount of queer content, but does not have a directly usable feature for navigating this content or a clear archive of the content, despite its fairly young digital age. It is still included though for its passive, yet direct queer content interaction.

Them. - News, Culture and Current Events Coverage for the LGBTQ Community, Condé Nast, 2018, www.them.us/.

reddit/r/LGBT

Reddit is a well-known social platform among young web users. The subreddit, LGBT, is a forum platform through which anyone in the LGBTQ+ community can share content regarding their experience as a community member, with the community, or with the general world. The forum includes rules and moderators who maintain the webpage, so as to avoid hate speech, explicit content, and general trolling. The reddit includes memes, stories, videos, news - any type of web content you can really think of that is connected to being a part of the LGBTQ+ community. As an incredibly popular social platform for young adults, this subreddit is another platform that can provide LGBTQ+ content for young queer people. The content is well-monitored, includes searchable tags and trigger warnings for sensitive or violent content. The forum can also be used to ask other members of the community for guidance on queer issues or questions regarding identity, giving it personalized interaction. As an active user of the source for several years (including as a teen/young adult), I believe that the LGBT subreddit is an effective way to access LGBTQ+ content safely, as well as get exposure to LGBTQ+ content that may be outside of my realm of access. The LGBT subreddit provides an easy access point for LGBTQ+ born-digital content, thus being a significant resource to include.

“Subreddit/LGBT.” Reddit, 2018, www.reddit.com/r/lgbt/.

LGBTQ Nation / The Most Followed LGBTQ News Source

LGBTQ Nation is considered the “world’s most followed LGBTQ news source,” according to their titular tagline on the website. Though not specifically catering to young adult populations, LGBTQ Nation covers world news regarding the LGBTQ+ community that can be pertinent to young adults. As young queer people enter the age of sexual activity and adult responsibility, having a resource that provides information about world leaders, LGBTQ+ issues affecting several populations, and health issues affecting the LGBTQ+ populations is all too important. LGBTQ Nation provides access to current health and wellness studies, political conflicts, cultural information, and advocacy issues all regarding the queer community. LGBTQ Nation, though, is a somewhat partisan source with left-leaning media bias, which should be noted. However, according to Media Bias/Fact Check, LGBTQ Nation ranks “high” on factual reporting, which helps prove its effectiveness as reliable source. Teens can search for specific topics on the website, as well as access subsections of information that may pertain to them. 

LGBTQ NationLGBTQ Nation / The Most Followed LGBTQ News Source, LGBTQ Nation, 2018, www.lgbtqnation.com/.

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5 Web Resources

GLAAD Media Reference Guide - Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual Glossary of Terms and Transgender Glossary of Terms

The GLAAD Glossaries provide a reference of several LGBTQ+ related terms and their definitions. This source is provided by GLAAD, or the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, a national, non-profit organization that advocates for education and LGBTQ+ issues. These terms include language that often comes up in the media as LGBTQ+ related, gender and sexuality terminology, terms to avoid, and defamatory language deemed inappropriate for use in relation to the LGBTQ+ community. These glossaries also include instructions relating to language and how to appropriately ask questions about the language members of the queer community would prefer. The glossaries are included as a starter for definitions and language interaction with the LGBTQ+ community. By providing the initial definitions of identifying LGBTQ+ language, young adults will be better equipped to understand terms that they may relate to or do not understand, thus creating a sense of better understanding for the community’s language. Though the resource does not include all related terminology for the queer community, the glossary does provide an initial introduction to the language and terms that are outdated or derogatory, creating a “jumping point” for further research into LGBTQ+ terminology for young adults.

Citations: “GLAAD Media Reference Guide - Lesbian / Gay / Bisexual Glossary Of Terms.” GLAAD, Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, 26 Oct. 2016, www.glaad.org/reference/lgbtq; “GLAAD Media Reference Guide - Transgender Glossary Of Terms.” GLAAD, Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, 26 Oct. 2016, www.glaad.org/reference/lgbtq. 

Parents, Family, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays Organization

When considering the LGBTQ+ community, friends and family of this community are likely to have questions regarding their associate’s identity or sexuality, especially in younger community members. The Parents, Family, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays Organization, or PFLAG Organization, is a resource that provides guidance and support to allies of the community. The national, non-profit organization has several chapters across the United States that people can join if they want guidance and support for LGBTQ+ family members or friends. The goal of the organization is to create a more understanding ally and family community that supports and affirms LGBTQ people.Through the website, young adults can access chapters of PFLAG, educational support resources, advocacy information, and news regarding the LGBTQ+ and ally communities. Though PFLAG does provide support for members of the LGBTQ+ community, this resource is complementary to this electronic guide as it creates a space for those outside of the community trying to better understand their friends and family within. The website includes a clear banner that states “Need Support?” on the main page, giving access points for the self, family, and allies to find support resources. Because family and a support system are often influential in a young person’s life, a resource that provides familial and friend  access to support materials would certainly be beneficial for a young adult in the LGBTQ+ community.

Citation: Parents, Family, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays Organization, PFLAG, 2018, www.pflag.org/.

The Trevor Project: Saving Young LGBTQ Lives

One of the marvels of modern connection, The Trevor Project is another major non-profit organization created for the benefit of young LGBTQ+ community members. With a live chat connection 24/7, LGBTQ+ young people can connect with professionals, should those young people have feelings of suicidal ideation. The Trevor Project has several resources for young people in the community, including TrevorSpace, an online forum for connecting with other LGBTQ+ young people; educational resources for youth-serving professionals; support center connections; volunteer opportunities; and support events. As previously stated, this organization is considered a marvel for its age, as its boasted a 24/7 chat service since its founding in the late 1990s. The organization also has an online chat feature and texting feature, should young people prefer to connect with trained specialists on another communication platform. Given the sensitive nature of young people, this source is especially relevant as it provides professional connections to maintain the safety of queer young people as they explore their sexuality and identity. There’s no question that the Trevor Project has proven effective, with 45,000 lifeline calls in the year and many lives saved, and 22,000 individuals educated each year on improving resources for young queer people. 

Citation: The Trevor Project: Saving Young LGBTQ Lives, The Trevor Project, 2018, www.thetrevorproject.org/.

Gay-Straight Alliance Network

The Gay-Straight Alliance, similar to PFLAG, is an organization that connects young LGBTQ+ people with allies in their community, so as to foster understanding and productivity towards acceptance in the community. Through the GSA Network, young people can create their own official alliances through their schools or local community, in order to support their fellow LGBTQ+ community members. Through the GSA Network website, young people can find local chapters of the GSA, start their own, or access resources that are intended to benefit GSAs. Though typically utilized in schools, GSA can also be formed through organizations like libraries, thus the public library being a good place to connect with information regarding the GSA Network. Given the importance of the support system for young people, the GSA provides an effective entry point into the LGBTQ+ community. Through the GSA, young people can connect with those encountering similar experiences to their own and learn how to jump the hurdles of young adulthood with an organized support system that advocates for their sexuality and identity. This is yet another effective resource for connecting young queer people to information and people that will support and advocate for them.

Citation: Gay-Straight Alliance Network, GSA Network, 2018, www.gsanetwork.org/. 

University of Missouri Library Guide - LGBTQ

The University of Missouri Library Guide on LGBTQ Sources is a catch all source for everything LGBTQ+ related in the academic realm. Though this resource list is intended for the academic setting of University of Missouri, it is a great source for a public young adult library to connect to for research assistance and sources, particularly those who may not have the funding or resources to compile their own comprehensive resource lists. This guide provides database research tips, book research tips, information about LGBTQ+ related laws and history, reading recommendations, and so much more. This source was created with the LGBTQ+ community members of the University of Missouri, so it also includes information for on campus and off campus resources. As previously stated, though this source is intended for the University of Missouri students, it is also great material for teens transitioning to young adults who may need research assistance with LGBTQ+ resources, and thus applicable to the young adult setting of the public library. The information on the page is comprehensive and navigable, making it an easy and effective source for young adult LGBTQ+ persons.

Citation: “Library Guides - LGBTQ.” Library Guides at University of Missouri Libraries, University of Missouri, 2018, https://libraryguides.missouri.edu/c.php?g=28569&p=175143.