Ref Type: Journal Article
Authors: Curry,Ann,
Title: If I ask, will they answer?
Publication Full: Reference & User Services Quarterly
Year: 2005 Volume: 45 Issue: 1
Start Page: 65 Other Pages: 75
Descriptors: LIBRARIES, LIBRARIANS, TEENAGERS, LESBIANISM, LESBIAN youth, PUBLIC libraries, REFERENCE librarians, INFORMATION scientists,
Abstract:
For gay and lesbian youth, the public library can be a key resource for information about emerging and often-confusing sexual feelings. A good reference librarian can mean the difference between the youth fleeing the library or considering the library a helpful refuge. This article reports the results of an unobtrusive observation study in British Columbia in which a youth asked a gay and lesbian-related question at twenty different public library reference desks. The behaviors and verbal responses of the reference librarians were recorded afterward by the youth on an observation checklist based on the RUSA Guidelines for Reference Behavior. Most of the librarians scored acceptably in areas such as maintaining confidentiality but the study showed that improvement is needed in other areas such as conducting a good reference interview and awareness of relevant gay or lesbian book or Web resources. ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR Copyright of Reference & User Services Quarterly is the property of American Library Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts); For gay and lesbian youth, the public library can be a key resource for information about emerging and often-confusing sexual feelings. A good reference librarian can mean the difference between the youth fleeing the library or considering the library a helpful refuge. This article reports the results of an unobtrusive observation study in British Columbia in which a youth asked a gay and lesbian-related question at twenty different public library reference desks. The behaviors and verbal responses of the reference librarians were recorded afterward by the youth on an observation checklist based on the RUSA Guidelines for Reference Behavior. Most of the librarians scored acceptably in areas such as maintaining confidentiality but the study showed that improvement is needed in other areas such as conducting a good reference interview and awareness of relevant gay or lesbian book or Web resources. ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR Copyright of Reference & User Services Quarterly is the property of American Library Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts)
Notes:
id: 159; M3: Article; Curry, Ann 1; Affiliations: 1: Associate Professor, School of Library, Archival, and Information Studies, University of British Columbia; Source Information: Fall2005, Vol. 45 Issue 1, p65; Subject Term: LIBRARIES; Subject Term: LIBRARIANS; Subject Term: TEENAGERS; Subject Term: LESBIANISM; Subject Term: LESBIAN youth; Subject Term: PUBLIC libraries; Subject Term: REFERENCE librarians; Subject Term: INFORMATION scientists; NAICS/Industry Codes: 519120 Libraries and Archives; Number of Pages: 11p; Document Type: Article
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Retrieved Date:January 1, 1970
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Publisher: American Library Association
Place Of Publication: NULL
Issn Isbn: 10949054
URL: [20]
Retrieved Date:[35]
Editors: [36]
Book Title: [37]
Series Title: [38]
Publisher: [39]
Place Of Publication: [40]
Issn Isbn: [41]