Pride In Practice: LGBTQ+ Library Workers Perspectives on Mental Health

Panel archive

This discussion panel delves into the lived experiences of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ+) identity and mental health within the context of library work. LGBTQ+ library workers face unique challenges stemming from societal stigma, discrimination, and workplace environments. Many individuals still face prejudice and discrimination based on their sexual orientation or gender identity, both within and outside of the workplace. This can manifest in various ways, from microaggressions and exclusion to overt acts of discrimination. Such experiences can lead to feelings of isolation, anxiety, and depression, impacting job performance and job satisfaction.

Despite these challenges, LGBTQ+ library professionals demonstrate resilience and resourcefulness in navigating their work environments. Sharing coping strategies, fostering supportive networks, and promoting dialogue around LGBTQ+ identity and mental health are crucial steps toward creating more inclusive and supportive library workplaces. By acknowledging the unique experiences and needs of LGBTQ+ library workers, we can work towards building environments where all individuals feel valued, respected, and supported in their professional roles. This session aims to shed light on these challenges, explore coping strategies, and foster a supportive dialogue to promote mental health and resilience among LGBTQ library professionals.

Additional Panel Sessions:

• Breaking the Silence: Exploring Mental Health Challenges Among BIPOC Library Workers – View the archive.
• Balancing Act: Navigating Mental Health as Parental Caregivers in the Library Profession – October 16, 2024 at 1 PM MT
• Leading from Within: Cultivating Managerial Self-Care for Resilient Organizations – November 20, 2024 at 1 PM MT
• Bridging the Divide: A Panel Discussion on Library Workers Loneliness – December 18, 2024 at 1 PM MT

About the panelists

Jennie Bachelor (they/them) is an Adult Services Librarian with Jefferson County Public Library (Belmar Branch) , which provides services to those living in, and around, Jefferson County in Colorado. They spend much of their time connecting patrons with information and resources, as well as planning and implementing programming for adults, and hosting book clubs.  They’ve worked at several public library systems in Colorado and are particularly passionate about intellectual freedom, whether it be restricted access to subscriber only content newspaper articles, or the ongoing challenges to programming and books in schools & libraries. They want to spend the rest of their library career trying to be the openly LGBTQ+ librarian that they needed when they were a young/new adult. Hopefully, they succeed.

Blanca Hernandez (He/Him/El) is an Instruction and Outreach Librarian at Erikson Institute (located in Chicago, IL) working with faculty and students to provide research and reference support, along with finding ways to connect the library resources to the Erikson communities and beyond. Blanca has also taught a semester long information literacy course to the PhD in Child Development program at his institute. His interests include bridging information gaps for patrons and has been involved in mutual aid work for several years.

April Zbrozek is the Chair of the LGBTQ+ Interest Group at the Colorado Association of Libraries. As a transplant from Florida, she is seeking to build connections within the LGBTQ+ librarian community. April has been in libraries her entire life, from a teen volunteer to an academic library intern to a librarian. When not reading, she enjoys walking along Cherry Creek Trail with her husband and cat.

Alejandro Marquez (he/him), is a Science and Engineering Librarian at University of Denver Libraries. He also served in the Peace Corps in El Salvador where he worked as a Municipal Development volunteer. His research interests include library employee mental health and well-being.

More panelists will be added soon!