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Variables Related to School Media Center LGBT Collections

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Published/Copyright: February 28, 2015

Abstract

The inclusion of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) literature in school media centers can be controversial, but such material can be beneficial in helping LGBT students come to terms with their sexuality and with helping to foster understanding in non-LGBT students. To examine the extent of such collections in school media centers, this research conducted a checklist exercise to examine the holdings of school libraries in two very different states, one in the northeastern United States and one in the southern United States. The study examined variables that may correlate with the number of LGBT books available in the libraries; these variables were size of school enrollment, type of locale, the existence of a fairness ordinance, demographic diversity, and political affiliation.

Acknowledgment

This research was assisted by the Applied Statistics Lab and benefitted from readings by Stacy Kowalczyk and Lisa O’Connor.

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Received: 2014-5-21
Accepted: 2014-7-28
Published Online: 2015-2-28
Published in Print: 2015-3-31

©2015 by De Gruyter

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