Barriers & Contemporary Concerns

The needs of trans* communities have often been neglected and have recently been under attack. 

According to the UCLA Williams Institute, nearly one in five people who identify as transgender are between the ages 13-17. There are about 300,000 youth aged 13-17 who identify as transgender in the United States. 

In the article, “Barriers to Trans* Service and Outreach in Public Libraries” Villagran and Long (2022) state, “Issues such as dealing with family disapproval, suicidal ideation, social isolation, and housing insecurity may cause trans* teenagers to seek refuge in public libraries. Assisting trans* youth with these issues may also provide opportunities for outreach to bring trans* youth into public libraries” (p. 19). In order for the library to be a safe space for trans* youth (and all LGBTQIA2S+ patrons) we must address potential barriers to access and eliminate them however we can. 

There are currently many barriers facing trans* youth that impact their use of the public library. These barriers can include: access to gender-neutral restrooms, lack of representation in library collections, a lack of gender inclusive language in library policies, insufficient preferred name change processes, lack of trans* sensitivity training for staff, trans* programming, and more. 

Some potential solutions to a few of the barriers trans* youth face include: removing gender from library card applications or providing a "non-binary" or "prefer not to disclose option", removing an ID requirement or proof of address for library card applications (especially when trans* youth are more likely to suffer from housing insecurities), updating policies so patrons don't have to disclose their dead name, or providing ample resources for trans* youth information needs (such as legal or medical information). 

Librarians must prioritize inclusive programming, collection development, policy updates, and outreach efforts to ensure trans* communities can access the library safely and comfortably. 

LGBTQIA2S+ youth may face a number of barriers while trying to access public library services.

In most libraries, anyone under the age of 18 must have a parent/guardian signature in order to obtain a library card with the understanding that the parent/guardian would be responsible for any materials or fines. This creates a barrier for LGBTQIA2S+ youth who may not be out or who may not have a supportive parent/guardian. LGBTQIA2S+ youth may not check out any books due to privacy concerns. 

Geography is another significant barrier to accessing library services for LGBTQIA2S+ youth, especially those who live in rural areas. A 2019 report from the Movement Advancement Project (MAP) highlights the harsh reality of living in a rural area. The report found that public opinion of LGBTQIA2S+ people is less supportive in rural areas. In such geographic areas, it may not be safe to be out or transportation to the library is not easily obtainable. 

In our current sociopolitical climate, LGBTQIA2S+ materials are disproportionately censored or challenged within libraries. In 2023, the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom reports that 4,240 unique book titles were targeted for removal from libraries. "Titles representing the voices and lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC individuals made up 47% of those targeted in censorship attempts" (ALA, 2024). Censorship efforts create another barrier for LGBTQIA2S+ youth accessing the library. Censorship efforts can take many shapes and come from various sources, especially from pressure groups and librarians themselves who practice soft censorship. Soft censorship occurs when librarians purchase books but then place them in restricted areas or keep them hidden in fear of organized censorship. Soft censorship can also occur when librarians preemptively exclude or remove books from their collections before they can be banned.