An intersectional quantitative content analysis of the LGBTQ+ catalogue in Irish public libraries

Abstract

LGBTQ+ youths in the Republic of Ireland report statistically higher levels of depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts than their heteronormative peers, which can be attributed to bullying and homophobic rhetoric. Research indicates that community services, such as public libraries, can play a role in mitigating the mental health risks of this group. However, there is no formal policy within the Irish public library system directing the collection and provision of LGBTQ+ materials and services to anyone, let alone youths. Previous international studies have shown that, in the absence of a guiding intersectional collection development policy, LGBTQ+ library materials are overwhelmingly representative of the gay, white, adult male experience, to the detriment of other groups within the LGBTQ+ community. Conducting a quantitative content analysis of the Dublin City Council Public Library catalogue through the lens of intersectionality theory confirms that the Irish public library system is not an exception to this trend. Results indicate that catalogue materials containing LGBTQ+ metadata favor the adult, gay, male experience – as well as the youth, gay, male experience – over adult and young women. This trend is particularly noticeable among the eBook catalogue, an area that the Irish public library system has directly identified as a strategic target for collection development. Conclusions align with previous qualitative studies on LGBTQ+ provision in Irish libraries in that a comprehensive organizational policy document is needed to provide direction and enable funding for the development of the LGBTQ+ section of the library system’s catalogue.