Is the Library a Gendered Place?

Abstract

Libraries as public spaces can perpetuate the gender binary - i.e. male and not-male - that is naturalized into Western culture, which is experienced by transgender and gender nonconforming people as a kind of tyranny. In this column, I explore some of the ways libraries perpetuate the gender binary, and suggest strategies library leadership can follow to ameliorate the harm caused by the tyranny of gendered spaces through gender-inclusive policies, education, and by modeling inclusive practices.

Keywords:

• Inclusive libraries
• transgender employees
• transgender patrons
• policy
• professional development