Identifying and implementing diversity: Collaborative action-based research at Mariestad’s Public Library on LGBTQ issues

In Sweden, a high degree of awareness of human rights and civil liberties is presumed to be well-founded in society. This awareness is expected to be common practice in public libraries which, in extension, means that library staff and operations have an open attitude towards diversity. Libraries are considered a significant public meeting place, open to everyone and found in every municipality by law. Mariestad Public Library is dedicated to working with diversity in different areas. Democratic values are thought to permeate library operations in general, including interculturism and services to the physically and/or mentally challenged. This is an ongoing process of daily awareness that has been created and developed over time. Considering this dedication, it is interesting to focus on an area only recently appearing on the library’s agenda, namely gender and LGBTQ-issues, through which a different challenge is discovered. In the drive to live up to library standards, the question of how to approach gender and LGBTQ on a local level is being explored. So, how to identify the issues? What steps are best taken to develop a sound approach to this "newly found" diversity? Next, how to implement new understanding and knowledge throughout library operations? One seemingly successful approach is through coactions between the library and LGBTQ advocates such as RFSL - The Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights. This is a first step in the process of attaining a well-informed team of employees. Other measures that are in various stages of implementation are well-informed choices in media purchasing, marketing strategies and planning culture activities from a broad perspective.