LGBTQ+ Network to launch early next year


CILIP’s LGBTQ+ Network is due to launch early next year and a new Steering Committee is being recruited of the next few weeks. Applications for the committee close on 5 November and co-chair of the committee Binni Brynolf explains why it is needed and what the next steps are.


Digital Resources Librarian at Chatham House Binni Brynolf and John Vincent, co-ordinator of The Network – a group that lobbies for and raises awareness of the role libraries, museums and archives play in supporting social justice, will co-chair the LGBTQ+ Steering Committee. Applications for the steering committee close on 5 November and successful can- didates will meet for the first time on 3 December when “the real work begins”, according to Binni. They add: “People who become part of the Steering Group should bring with them ideas of what they themselves would want and need from the Network, and be ready to discuss those ideas.”


The Steering Group will be in place until


the first committee is elected, and will decide the scope and governance of the network. This means laying down how it should operate, who can join, how often it should meet and where. There will also be work done to see how the Network can sup- port CILIP’s Equalities and Diversity Action Plan.


The hope is to launch the new Network during LGBT History Month, which takes place every February, and the Steering Group will be making preparations for that.


CILIP’s LGBTQ+ Network aims to fill a gap in sector-wide support for anyone working in library and information ser- vices. Binni points to a recent report from the TUC that highlights the issues facing LGBTQ+ people in the workplace, and says there is a real need to raise awareness and facilitate positive change. The report found that almost 70 per cent of LGBTQ+ workers had suffered some form of sexual harassment in the workplace and 12 per cent of LGBTQ+ women report being seriously sexually assaulted or raped while at work (https://bit.ly/2Yxyf4r). Despite these worrying findings, many choose not to report abuse for fear of making it worse or in the case of 25 per cent of those who have experienced abuse, because they do not want to “out” themselves to colleagues or managers. Binni, who took part in a diversity panel and discussion at this year’s CILIP Conference, says: “[That panel and dis- cussion] made clear to us that libraries are no exception to this bleak picture. We might imagine that a library is a more pro- gressive workplace, but sadly this is not always true. LGBTQ library workers have experienced homophobia and transpho- bia from colleagues and managers, as well as from library users.” For People of Colour who identify as LGBTQ+ there is an added risk of discrim- ination, harassment and abuse and Binni says the new network will look to work with CILIP’s recently launched BAME Network. Like the BAME Network there are plans for an Allies Forum, that would support the network and its members.


Binni Brynolf


Binni says that the LGBTQ+ and BAME Networks offer individual support for those joining, but will also act as agents of change. They said: “We are hoping that the Network will have a positive impact for LGBTQ+ workers in several ways: first and foremost, by providing support for individuals. It can make a real difference to belong to a network of likeminded people, even when you may be “the only one” in your workplace. On a wider basis, we would like to use the Net- work to raise awareness of LGBTQ issues, as well as suggesting possible solutions, so that workplaces can be safer and more inclusive for library and information pro- fessionals and their users.” Applications for the Steering Committee


close on 5 November and details of how to apply can be found at https://bit.ly/2qdouwC


College library revamp adds light and flexibility


BASINGSTOKE College Library has had an internal makeover to modernise the space and make it more suited to a digital age. The college chose Demco Interiors to carry out


the refit and Neil Shoulder, Director of Teaching, Learning and Quality, said: “The old library was not designed to meet the digital age so we put our heads together and envisioned how the space could be improved and what it should include. Demco were brilliant from design through to fit out. They made us think about how the space was going to be used by staff and students in practical terms and how that could be translated in a creative way.” Light and flexibility (in more ways than one), alongside a focus on digital were key to the rede- sign. The result means the library space can now be used in a number of different ways – includ- ing for yoga and pilates sessions.


October-November 2019 INFORMATION PROFESSIONAL 11


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