LGBTQIA+ Library Services Committee
San Diego Public Library
Innovation Synopsis
San Diego Public Library’s LGBTQIA+ Library Services Committee champions diversity and inclusion within the LGBTQIA+ community by creating a welcoming library space that fosters connections to knowledge and each other. By curating a comprehensive collection of LGBTQIA+ literature, multimedia, and digital resources, the library guarantees that everyone can find materials reflecting their experiences.
LGBTQIA+ and ally staff lead the committee, which includes people from across job classifications. Its work actively addresses systemic inequities and promotes social justice through intentional outreach, community partnerships, and programming. By collaborating with local LGBTQIA+ organizations, the library extends its reach to under-resourced audiences, ensuring broader access to its services. Through its programming, the library promotes civility, kindness, and collaborative community efforts, highlighting its commitment to fostering a more inclusive and equitable society.
Challenge/Opportunity
With pressure on library boards to eliminate LGBTQIA+-inclusive collections, programs, and services increasing across the nation, San Diego has not been immune to these discriminatory attacks. As one of the top ten largest counties in California, the host to seven military installations, and a multiethnic border town, the San Diego region is a microcosm of the nation’s diversity of thought and culture.
As a prime example, a 2019 drag storytime in the San Diego-area City of Chula Vista was met with unprecedented public backlash. However, the program was also met with overwhelming community support, demonstrating residents' demand for LGTQIA+ inclusive libraries. San Diego Public Library’s LGBTQIA+ Library Services Committee is the regional leader of innovative programs and services helping San Diego residents and visitors across gender, orientation, racial, ethnic, belief, and political identities see themselves welcomed and represented in their library.
Key Elements of Innovation
In 2013, the LGBTQIA+ Library Services Committee developed a working model for institutions to offer innovative LGBTQIA+ inclusive public library services.
In February 2023, it piloted its first Black LGBTQIA+ Human Book Experience at the Malcolm X Branch Library in collaboration with the San Diego Black LGBTQ+ Coalition. This program successfully drove interest among the teen demographic.
Later, in June 2023, it launched its first Rainbow Revolution, the library’s premiere “pride at the library” program. This event occurred in the Central Library courtyard, bringing together ten community partners for a resource fair. This program also featured the first-ever live unveiling of our Pride Library Card contest-winning design. This beloved annual public contest in collaboration with San Diego Pride helped ensure the library’s inclusion in the Pride 2024 Community Grand Marshall: LGBTQIA+ and Allied Educators and Library Workers.
Achieved Outcomes
Our premiere Black LGBTQIA+ Human Book Experience collaboration enjoyed outsized engagement between young adults and black queer community leaders and authors. This was demonstrated by the 125 predominantly young adult attendees for this program, compared to the average attendance of 10 for typical San Diego Public Library young adult programs.
The first annual Rainbow Revolution also increased patron opportunities to gain deeper connections to knowledge and each other. It also reaffirmed the library’s commitment to social justice with an out-and-proud, pride-themed program. This program enjoyed the largest turnout of any LGBTQIA+ Library Services Committee program to date, with 400 attendees.
