'The Last Socially Acceptable Prejudice:' Gay and Lesbian Issues, Social Responsibilities and Coverage of These Topics in MLIS/MLS Programs.
- UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- James V. Carmichael, Professor (Creator)
- Institution
- The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
- Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
Abstract: A survey of 465 U.S. (90.5 percent) and Canadian (9.5 percent) 1993 graduates
of master's (M.L.I.S. and M.L.S.) programs accredited by the American Library
Association (ALA) addressed lesbigay issues within the context of professional
social responsibilities. Specifically, graduates were asked to agree or disagree
with thirty-three statements reflecting attitudes toward (I) the ALA position on
social responsibility as manifested in official professional documents such as the
ALA Library Bill of Rights; (2) multiculturalism and political correctness; (3) the
status of women in librarianship; (4) gay and lesbian issues in Iibrarianship;
and (5) the treatment these topics received in their M.L.I.S. and M.L.S. programs.
Extensive personal data were also solicited, including the subjects' selfidentified
political orientation, sexual orientation, personal acquaintance with
AIDS victims, educational background, and job history. Responses and openended
comments indicated that library and information studies and library and
information professionals are not ideologically cohesive in their views on
women's issues, lesbigays, or the relationship between social responsibilities and
professionalism. The findings of the study, although not definitive, would seem
to justify more exhaustive studies on the demographic and ideological identity
of library and information professionals.
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'The Last Socially Acceptable Prejudice:' Gay and Lesbian Issues, Social Responsibilities and Coverage of These Topics in MLIS/MLS Programs.
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Additional Information
- Publication
- The Library Quarterly 66: 21-58.
- Language: English
- Date: 1996
- Keywords
- Gays and lesbians, Library education, Librarianship, Attitudes, Prejudice