“For me, it is an intellectual freedom issue”: Drag storytimes, neutrality, and ALA core values

Abstract

Drag storytimes are increasingly popular programing events in which drag performers lead storytime in public libraries or other settings; they have been both popular and contentious. In this study, we utilized data from a national survey of 458 library staff and 26 subsequent interviews to investigate connections between drag storytime, intellectual freedom, neutrality, and other core librarianship values. The data was analyzed inductively and several key themes emerged: hosting drag storytimes is an intellectual freedom stance; various perspectives on the American Library Association stance in support of drag storytimes; connections to other core values; emphasizing diversity to serve one’s community; and contesting the neutrality of libraries. We found difficult-to-reconcile stances of “presenting all sides” and “taking a side,” but we suggest a way forward by focusing on the outcome of collective self-governance (based on core values of intellectual freedom and democracy).

Drag story hour at public libraries: the reading child and the construction of fear and othering in Swedish cultural policy debate

“…Whereas library staff in general are supportive of DSH, responses vary among other community members (Barriage et al, 2021), ranging from either fully embracing the event and what it stands for, to violently protesting accompanied by library self-censorship (Stone, 2019;Kitzie et al, 2022). Exploring perceptions of library neutrality and core values of librarianship among American public librarians, Oltmann et al (2023) found that DSH was often perceived as supporting such values by promoting democracy trough the inclusion of diverse voices and experiences in library programming. However, they found disagreement on whether hosting DSH was compatible with the contested concept of library neutrality.…”

“…, 2022). Exploring perceptions of library neutrality and core values of librarianship among American public librarians, Oltmann et al. (2023) found that DSH was often perceived as supporting such values by promoting democracy trough the inclusion of diverse voices and experiences in library programming.…”