This article describes services offered to LGBTQ+ users in Västerbotten County, Sweden. There are 271,736 inhabitants in Västerbotten County, and 15 municipalities.
1. LGBTQ certification for libraries in Västerbotten, Sweden
All public libraries, all hospital libraries and the county library + two upper secondary school libraries in Västerbotten have finished a training and development effort in LGBTQ for all the staff.
To start a process for LGBTQ and reinforce democracy and human rights.
The purpose of the LGBTQ certification is to begin a structured and long term work with LGBTQ, norms and equality in the library’s activities based on target group, work environment and development.
Education for the Library Staff
– Lectures and discussions about norms and LGBTQ.
– Reading books and watching movies about LGBTQ and writing recommendations.
– An individual reflection task about norms and treatment of visitors.
– Conversations about LGBTQ and norms.
Development in the Library
– Create an action plan for continued work with LGBTQ, norms and equality in the library.
– Make LGBTQ visible.
– The Rainbow Bookshelf.
– Program activities with LGBTQ theme.
– Strive for a safe welcoming space, without discrimination or intrusion.
– Collaborations with associations and organizations, with knowledge of LGBTQ and norms.
– Inventory the library’s documents and communication.
– What does our work environment look like? Is it possible to be yourself at our workplace?
The LGBTQ certification is an important support for libraries in the work with the democratic mission, human rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The library becomes LGBTQ-certified when it has undergone the entire LGBTQ certification process, which, depending on the activity, is estimated to take 4-6 months.
Follow-up and further work
In order to continue to support the work with LGBTQ issues in the library, regular follow-ups are carried out. In addition to this, lectures and newsletters are offered to staff who have participated in LGBTQ training. For newly hired staff, there is the completely web-based training The Second Chance. Both follow-ups and ’The second chance’ is mandatory for the library to retain its LGBTQ diploma.
Collaborations with other associations and organizations, having knowledge of LGBTQ and norms, is a great idea to get quality.
LGBTQ Diploma Award
On the diploma the library promises to keep a certain standard.We are an LGBTQ-certified company. This means that we have received training in issues related to sexuality and gender identity as well as living conditions for homosexuals, bisexuals, transgender people and queers.
We strive to be an inclusive activity for everyone regardless of sexuality or gender identity and know that it means more than just being nice. Therefore, we work actively with the issues through continuing education and development work.
We think it is important that everyone’s name and pronoun are respected and that no one gets curious questions that are not relevant. We have zero tolerance for hatred and oppression such as LGBTQ phobia and report if someone expresses themselves offensively. We apologize if we make mistakes and constantly strive to improve.
2. The Rainbow Library Profile products
The County Library of Västerbotten (Regionbibliotek Västerbotten) has developed LGBTQ profile products for the libraries.
Cloth bags, roll-ups, supporter flags and campaign buttons
Book marks with the text ’It’s your right to be you’ in different languages and a QR code to http://regnbagshyllan.se/.
It’s your right to be you – Pins in 16 languages.
Knowledge and Visibility as Armouries Against Homo- and Transphobia
Almost every library in Västerbotten, Sweden, has their own Rainbow Bookshelf and are making stands against discrimination and phobia towards LGBTQ-people.
The Rainbow Bookshelf at Umeå Public Library. Photo: Anders Magnusson and The Rainbow Book Tower.
The Rainbow Bookshelf with LGBTQ-media, books, papers, pamphlets and films, in Public Libraries in Västerbotten.
The Rainbow Bookshelf at Umeå Public Library is for all ages with all sorts of media, mostly in Swedish and English. The media in the shelf are duplicates and are available on regular shelves as well. Umeå Public Library started this shelf in 2012 and has inspired many other libraries to make their own.
The Rainbow Book Tower is a great solution for smaller libraries. It’s a permanent media signage, to make the LGBTQ-media visible, the library at Umeå University Hospital.
The Rainbow Bookshelf, Åsele Public Library
Rainbow Bookshelf on bicycle, during Pride.
3. The Swedish Network for LGBTQ Issues at Libraries
The network started 2012 and will work to raise the libraries LGBTQ competence. This is part of our assignment to work for human rights and against prejudices and discrimination.
In 2021 the network produced a guide for working with LGBTQ+ Issues in the library. It is free to download.
Guide for Working with LGBTQ+ Issues in the Library
Christer Edeholt
Library adviser
Regional library Västerbotten
christer.edeholt@regionvasterbotten.se
In front of The Rainbow Bookshelf, Umeå Public Library.
IFLA LGBTQ Users 