The role of libraries in serving traditionally marginalized communities —including the queer community— is continually evolving. Teen departments are now hosting Pride Month displays and discussions, children’s departments are hosting Drag Queen Story Time and reference departments offer resources and programs that celebrate those communities. But this is the baseline idealized version and it not true for all libraries, especially outside of Pride Month.How has pop culture influenced librarians and library patrons to develop a new expectations for who and how the LGBTQ+ community should be represented? How can librarians be role models? What can libraries do to become the safe spaces they should be? In the professional arena, awards, roundtables and policy templates developed by the American Library Association all play a part. Is this enough? How can patrons and librarians work together to make sure that libraries are pursuing best practices toward real life representation? In short, what can you do for your library, and more importantly, what can your library do for you?
