prompt #8 (week 14)

I am inclined to agree that a straight up separation of LGBTQ fiction and Urban Fiction does them a disservice, as pulling them out renders them inherently "other" merely by doing so. It could also prevent people accustomed to browsing the general fiction stacks from finding these titles by chance, especially if no effort is given to let patrons know about the change beyond minimal signage, or if they wouldn't think to look in these specific sections for their next read for whatever reason. It also makes me nervous, unfortunately, to isolate a specific section for LGBTQ novels given our current political climate. Being an openly and/or visibly queer person has always come with risks (in some places more than others), but now especially with LGBTQ books being challenged and/or banned in record numbers, it feels unsafe to have a specific area designated for these materials. I'd worry that it would be an easy target for those looking to cause trouble, and the people who may want/need these materials most would be unable or unwilling to risk even glancing at the shelves lest they become a target themselves.   

Also, I can recognize that it is generally beneficial to create new, specific spaces for materials if enough patrons are coming in asking for specific types of books. Ideally, this makes it easier for both patron and staff, as there's a designated spot to point patrons toward to browse. Unfortunately, if only a few people have requested this change, it probably wouldn't justify the means needed to make it. Sometimes, libraries simply may not have the space to accommodate these new areas. Even if new shelving units (which would cost money) aren't required, shifting the collection certainly would be, and it just may not be feasible for staff to rework the space. 

To me, this conundrum feels like a matter of designation instead of separation. Distinguishing these books via cataloging and/or tagging can allow them to stand out while still enmeshed in the general collection. When books arrive to be entered into the collection, a special sticker can be placed on the spine that will designate it as an LGBTQ or Urban Fiction novel within the larger fiction collection. It would also benefit staff and patrons alike to have these books properly tagged to be easily searchable within the catalog. Even if a specific physical space isn't an option, patrons should be able to locate and browse these books online in one place. 

However, unlike LGBTQ novels, I have seen Urban Fiction novels catalogued as such, which differentiates them from general fiction. It is similar to how mysteries, science fiction, and westerns are catalogued, and these other genres generally do have their own spaces/shelves separate from the fiction collection. I'm not inherently opposed to giving these novels their own space, as they do have their own catalogue designation and the other books with this same treatment have their own spaces, so why shouldn't Urban Fiction? Unfortunately, in the case of my library, the Urban Fiction titles we do have are few and far between, so putting these novels in their own section wouldn't exactly work. Giving them their own area would likely only highlight how few there are, and may be considered an unhelpful use of the finite shelf space. For other libraries, though, it might make sense to have these titles in their own area based on the amount of Urban Fiction books they own and the needs/desires of their patronage. 

Ultimately, I think the desired effect can be achieved via a combination cataloging/designation and displays. If some patrons have already requested that these items have their own area, then there will certainly be support for a display that highlights these titles. This could ensure that if patrons come in wanting to browse LGBTQ or Urban Fiction there is a place to point to, but also that other books in these genres can still be found serendipitously in the general fiction stacks since only a small number will be selected for display. Displays are casual by design, so their impermanence is a novelty that appeals to patrons. They are intended to spotlight parts of the collection, boosting their visibility as opposed to isolating them. This way, it is clear that they are being highlighted as part of the larger collection, instead of standing on their own. Displays also take up much less space than proper shelving units which allows for more flexibility and less work on the part of library staff. Plus, displays can be added to at any time, meaning the titles rotate and change from day to day. Having these books on a cover-out display might draw in new readers who may have only previously seen the spine among the stacks and never thought to pick it up. 

Perhaps a way to appease all parties would be conducting a trial run by creating a few displays that are exclusively for these genres, then seeing how frequently they're picked over. If books are just flying off the displays, then maybe giving LGBTQ fiction and Urban Fiction their own designated space warrants further analysis. If not, perhaps keeping these displays on a rotating or even semi-permanent basis works best. Circulation staff should also make note of how often these genres are asked for specifically over the course of a predetermined period of time. Gathering data is often a useful way to make decisions, especially ones like this that could best serve patrons and save time and effort in the long run for library staff.