Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered Round Table (GLBTRT)
Mission
The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered Round Table of the American Library Association is committed to serving the information needs of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered professional library community, and the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered information and access needs of individuals at large. We are committed to encouraging and supporting the free and necessary access to all information, as reflected by the missions of the American Library Association and democratic institutions.
The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered Round Table provides its members, other American Library Association divisions, members, and affiliates, and the library and information science field as a whole with a forum for discussion and an environment for education and learning regarding the needs of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered professional community and population at large.
Responsibilities
The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered Round Table of the American Library Association shall:
- promote the improved quality, quantity, and accessibility of library materials and service of particular interest or usefulness to lesbian, bisexual, gay, and transgendered people of all ages;
- promote awareness of and develop funding sources outside of ALA for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered Round Table Book Awards, and programs;
- develop, promote and defend unrestricted access of all library users to information by or about gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered people;
- provide bibliographic services to librarians, archivists, other information professionals, and library users;
- work toward eliminating job discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered employees of libraries, archives, and information centers;
- advocate revising classification schemes, subject heading lists, indices, etc., in order to remove terms derogatory to the lives, activities, and contributions to culture and society of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered people;
- remind the membership and leadership of the Association as often as necessary that many librarians, archivists, other information specialists, and library users are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered people; support other minority groups working for adequate representation and equal opportunity within the Association;
- work with groups outside the Association interested in achieving equal rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered people;
- provide opportunities for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered librarians, archivists, and other information specialists attending Association conferences to meet and socialize with one another; and
- promote the Association's Library Bill of Rights and its Code of Ethics.
Events
Each year, we present the Stonewall Book Awards (one for literature, one for non-fiction) to the best books with gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered themes. (Winning titles and honor books are announced at ALA Midwinter Meetings and the awards are presented at the Stonewall Book Award brunch at Annual Conferences. We present programs at ALA's Annual Conference, and we hold social hours at ALA Midwinter Meetings and Annual Conferences.Initiatives & Projects
We are raising funds in order to make the Stonewall Book Awards self-supporting. Donations are welcome and encouraged. Checks may be sent to the ALA/Development Office, 50 E. Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60611, made out to ALA, or you may charge your gift to your credit card. Note clearly that your donation is to the GLBTRT. More information may be found on the "making donations" page.
Membership Profile and Demographics Survey: Demographic information collected by ALA and passed along to the Round Table leadership is useful, but of somewhat limited value to the Steering Committee in charting the future course of the Round Table. As a result, a survey has been devised which is intended to provide a clearer profile of our membership. Answers to survey questions will be kept confidential. Personal identifying information will not be shared with anyone not currently serving on either the Membership Committee or the Steering Committee. Should you wish to participate in the survey, please go to http://its.usc.edu/~trimmer/glbtrt/memberprofile.html.
News
We publish a quarterly newsletter detailing Round Table activities.Oversight Groups & Meeting Schedules
Check the summer and winter issues of the GLBTRT Newsletter for information about Round Table activities at Annual Conferences and Midwinter Meetings. You will find dates, times, and locations for all meetings and events, as well as program information for the Round Table. Typically, information about other ALA meetings and events of interest is also included.Social Networking
GLBTRT-L [Electronic Mailing List]Staff
GLBTRT co-chairs:
Nancy Silverrod
San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102-4733
(415) 557-4417
Email: nsilverrod@sfpl.org
K.R. Roberto
Serials/Electronic Resources Librarian
University of Denver
Penrose Library
2150 East Evans Avenue
Denver, Colorado 80208
(303) 871-3434 ; fax: (303) 871-3446
Email: KR.Roberto@du.edu
GLBTRT Committees
Committee Descriptions
Committee Members
Interested in serving on a committee? Please send email to Matthew Ciszek, noting which committee interests you.
The GLBTRT was founded in 1970 as the Task Force on Gay Liberation. We are the nation's first gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender professional organization. Join us! If you are already a member of the American Library Association, please consider adding membership in the GLBT Round Table when renewing your membership. Annual dues for the Round Table are $15.00 (regular), $5.00 (student), or $20.00 (organizational and corporate). If you are interested in joining ALA and the Round Table for the first time, please see the ALA Membership page for additional information.
Other GLBTRT sites:
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/glbtrt
ALA blogs: http://blogs.ala.org/glbtrt.php
flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/39608784@N00
del.icio.us: http://del.icio.us/GLBTRT
LiveJournal: http://community.livejournal.com/glbtrt_ala
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=5265244609