A Special Group for Info Pros SLA’s GLBT Issues Caucus Presented at “Serving New Jersey’s GLBT Community” INFOLINK Regional Library Cooperative October 14, 2009 Eric Schwarz, Co-Convener of SLA GLBT Issues Caucus (2007-2009) (SLA has proposed changing its name to Association of Strategic Knowledge Professionals. The name change decision will be announced Dec. 10, 2009.)

Presented at “Serving New Jersey’s GLBT Community” INFOLINK Regional Library Cooperative

October 14, 2009

Eric Schwarz, Co-Convener of SLA GLBT Issues Caucus (2007-2009)

History / Formation 1995: Approved by SLA Board of Directors (January) as Gay and Lesbian Issues Caucus. Held first business meeting at Montreal conference (June). First conveners: Richard Hulser and David Jank. As with other SLA caucuses, it has to be reapproved by the SLA board every three years and must have at least one convener. GLBTIC has had two conveners each year except one.

1995: Approved by SLA Board of Directors (January) as Gay and Lesbian Issues Caucus. Held first business meeting at Montreal conference (June). First conveners: Richard Hulser and David Jank.

As with other SLA caucuses, it has to be reapproved by the SLA board every three years and must have at least one convener. GLBTIC has had two conveners each year except one.

Learning Opportunities Discussing issues related to working as a GLBT person in the information professions, or serving GLBT clients. Learning best practices and achievements by and for GLBT populations in libraries and information centers.

Discussing issues related to working as a GLBT person in the information professions, or serving GLBT clients.

Learning best practices and achievements by and for GLBT populations in libraries and information centers.

Membership In 1996, the caucus had 69 members. A 2001 Information Outlook article reported membership ranged from 65-80 members a year. As of Oct. 13, 2009, the caucus had 88 members.

In 1996, the caucus had 69 members. A 2001 Information Outlook article reported membership ranged from 65-80 members a year.

As of Oct. 13, 2009, the caucus had 88 members.

Membership Challenges Some people are still closeted or because of their work situation, don’t bring up their orientation. Flip side: Some members think they don’t need a separate group because their workplace is welcoming.

Some people are still closeted or because of their work situation, don’t bring up their orientation.

Flip side: Some members think they don’t need a separate group because their workplace is welcoming.

Visibility The caucus brings visibility of GLBT members and issues at the conference, through programming and visibility (e.g. rainbow stickers on badges). Fun topics, get-togethers and annual dinners. We’ve also had local Happy Hours, mostly in DC.

The caucus brings visibility of GLBT members and issues at the conference, through programming and visibility (e.g. rainbow stickers on badges).

Fun topics, get-togethers and annual dinners. We’ve also had local Happy Hours, mostly in DC.

Early Programming 1997 (Seattle): Northwest Lesbian and Gay History Museum Project presentation. 1999 (Minneapolis): Co-hosted programs "Forming Employee Groups" and "Prejudice in LC Subject Cataloging."

1997 (Seattle): Northwest Lesbian and Gay History Museum Project presentation.

1999 (Minneapolis): Co-hosted programs "Forming Employee Groups" and "Prejudice in LC Subject Cataloging."

Out in the Community 2002 (Los Angeles): Visit to One Institute Gay and Lesbian Archives. 2004 (Nashville): Informal attendance at Nashville Pride.

2002 (Los Angeles): Visit to One Institute Gay and Lesbian Archives.

2004 (Nashville): Informal attendance at Nashville Pride.

The Impact of the Web, and a Name Change 2005 (Toronto): Understanding the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Consumer (cosponsored with Advertising & Marketing Division). 2006 (Baltimore): Public Displays: Web 2.0 and the Information Commons. Name change: Added “Bisexual and Transgendered” to become GLBT Issues Caucus.

2005 (Toronto): Understanding the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Consumer (cosponsored with Advertising & Marketing Division).

2006 (Baltimore): Public Displays: Web 2.0 and the Information Commons.

Name change: Added “Bisexual and Transgendered” to become GLBT Issues Caucus.

Ephemeral Importance 2008 (Seattle): Return of guest speakers from the Northwest Lesbian & Gay History Museum Project. Emphasis of importance of maintaining photos and ephemera (photos, fliers from events) to document society and institutions that were sometimes secretive.

2008 (Seattle): Return of guest speakers from the Northwest Lesbian & Gay History Museum Project. Emphasis of importance of maintaining photos and ephemera (photos, fliers from events) to document society and institutions that were sometimes secretive.

Archive Activism 2009 (Washington, DC): Kameny Papers: A government employee once fired for being gay documented the discrimination against him. In 2006 he presented his papers to the Library of Congress, and in 2008 they were made available to the public. Charles Francis, Founder of the Kameny Papers Project, spoke of the activism of saving the archives.

2009 (Washington, DC): Kameny Papers: A government employee once fired for being gay documented the discrimination against him. In 2006 he presented his papers to the Library of Congress, and in 2008 they were made available to the public. Charles Francis, Founder of the Kameny Papers Project, spoke of the activism of saving the archives.

Parading and Spying in 2009 Caucus members officially marched in the Capital Pride Parade in DC, carrying favorite gay-themed books. The caucus co-sponsored a visit to the Spy Museum in DC with several other SLA units (two divisions, plus one other caucus).

Caucus members officially marched in the Capital Pride Parade in DC, carrying favorite gay-themed books.

The caucus co-sponsored a visit to the Spy Museum in DC with several other SLA units (two divisions, plus one other caucus).

The Marchers

And Our Banner

Communications 1996: Launched first Web site and mailed newsletter. Approx. 1998-99: Established listserv. 2000: Online newsletter, GLIClines . 2008: Blog, GLitter BiTs ; Facebook Fan Page.

1996: Launched first Web site and mailed newsletter.

Approx. 1998-99: Established listserv.

2000: Online newsletter, GLIClines .

2008: Blog, GLitter BiTs ; Facebook Fan Page.

On the Web Main caucus site: http://units.sla.org/caucus/kglic GLitter BiTs blog: http://sla-divisions.typepad.com/glbt/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/SLA-GLBTIC/17084957955?ref=s

Main caucus site: http://units.sla.org/caucus/kglic

GLitter BiTs blog: http://sla-divisions.typepad.com/glbt/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/SLA-GLBTIC/17084957955?ref=s

Questions/Thank You Eric Schwarz [email_address] http://blog.ericthelibrarian.com Phone (908) 541-1114

Eric Schwarz

[email_address]

http://blog.ericthelibrarian.com

Phone (908) 541-1114