Week 14 Prompt Response

There are several reasons why I would not separate LGBTQ fiction and Urban fiction.

Firstly, we simply don't have the space to do this. Additionally, we don't separate any other genres, so why should we single out just these two? Implementing such a change would essentially require us to overhaul the organization of our library's collection, which seems like a daunting task. While it might seem more organized for patrons who enjoy browsing by genre, the reality is that many books defy strict categorization. For instance, Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros is both a fantasy and romance novel, so where would it be shelved? Moreover, considering the size of our physical collection, the logistical effort required to change all call numbers, print new labels, and update the catalog would be substantial.

Attempting to separate LGBTQ fiction presents its own set of challenges. What criteria would qualify a book as LGBTQ fiction? Would it be based on the author's identity, the sexual orientation of the main character, or even just a mention of a queer side character? While some books are already tagged as LGBTQ, there's potential for personal bias to influence these decisions when assigning genres. Furthermore, having a separate section for LGBTQ books raises concerns about the safety of our patrons, especially given recent threats against our library. Such a section could potentially attract individuals looking to deface or steal these books, creating a risk for both the collection and our patrons.

One of the joys of visiting the library is the serendipitous discovery of new books or authors while browsing. This experience would be lost if we were to separate these two genres or adopt a strict genre-based organization. Those who tend to gravitate towards familiar genres may miss out on the opportunity to stumble upon something new and unexpected. While we do utilize genre labels for books that clearly fall into categories like fantasy, romance, or classics, I would even hesitate to add labels to LGBTQ books for safety reasons and out of consideration for those who may not be out yet.