Submitted by Mack Freeman
October is LGBT History Month, and Atlanta just got done celebrating both Atlanta Pride and National Coming Out Day. Gwinnett County Public Library is proud to support everyone in our community. Public libraries have an ethos that makes them open to all, no matter their sexual orientation or gender expression. Whether you’re looking for LGBTQ-related information for yourself or for someone else, Gwinnett County Public Library is here to help.
The library has numerous LGBTQ books available for all ages in our collection. You can browse the collection online or in-person at your neighborhood branch. If you don’t know what you’re looking for, grab a library team member, and they can help you find something that’s exactly right for you. You can also find items that may be of interest in our digital collections on Libby and Flipster (magazines).
One resource that’s especially useful for those interested in LGBTQ topics is the EBSCO Ebook collection available through GALILEO. With over 2,000 titles related to LGBTQ topics, this resource covers everything from LGBTQ oral history to youth issues to health concerns and so much more. This database is consistently updated with new titles, and every item is available 24/7, whether the library is open or not.
If there are any in-depth topics related to LGBTQ issues you’re looking into, don’t forget that you can Book a Librarian. Book a Librarian sessions typically run for about 45 minutes, and they offer 1-on-1 assistance on any of your research needs. Researching LGBTQ issues can be tough. For instance, did you know that many search engines and databases will return different results for gay, lesbian, trans, bisexual, GLBT, LGBT, GLBTQ, and LGBTQ? A database sometimes isn’t smart enough to link all of these things together, but a librarian can help make sure that nothing you’re looking for is falling through the cracks.
Not seeing what you’re looking for? Contact your local branch and talk with the team there about what sorts of programs and services you’d like to see in your area. If you’d rather submit your comments digitally, you can submit suggestions for the collection and program ideas digitally. Gwinnett County Public Library is a reflection of our community, but we need your help to make sure we are offering exactly what you want.