Best practices for being an ally to transgender and gender non-conforming individuals in a library environment
Best Practices – In the Music Library
•Refrain from making assumptions about the gender of the library user
•Be respectful of people’s identities
•Use the pronoun and name that the user prefers, ask if you don’t know (library cards/Univ. IDs/class rosters can be incorrect)
•Avoid pronouns unless you know for sure the pronouns that the library user prefers. Try using other terms for the user like: singer, cellist, user, student, client when referring to a person
•Avoid (Sir, Maam, Mr. Mrs., etc.) unless you are sure that a library user appreciates these titles
•Be role models for student employees, co-workers; model language and respectful treatment of trans & gender non-conforming library users
•Acknowledge when you’ve made a mistake about someone’s pronoun and correct yourself.
•Do not disclose students’ gender identity unless you have obtained their consent
•Remove gendered language on signage, library forms, web forms, etc.
•Where possible, create gender neutral bathrooms in library or building or know where the closest gender neutral restroom is located
•Implement a “Preferred Name Policy” either for library or university
•Work with a colleague to create a LibGuide on transgender resources or develop a collection (collaborate with colleagues) on transgender resources
•Have a virtual reference desk/chat available
•Attend a training, hold a library staff training; having a sensitive staff is crucial
Best Practices – Instructional Settings
•Follow the same practices above
•State your pronoun when introducing yourself (also on sig files, syllabi, office hours postings, etc.)
•Only call roll or read the class roster aloud after providing students with an opportunity to self-identify the name they go by and their pronouns
•Include an inclusion statement in syllabi; discuss an inclusive classroom and what that means
•Actively step up to protect trans students from discrimination by others; “call out” or “call in”
Best Practices – General
•Honor students’ requested names in all university settings
•Politely provide a correction whether the person who was misgendered is present or not
•Do not ask personal questions of gender non-conforming people that you would not ask of others
•Identities change, be understanding, encourage exploration
•Include ”gender identity” and “gender expression” in non-discrimination policies
•Explore how you support the gender binary system in your actions and speech
•Be knowledgeable about campus mental health support services for students
•Develop an understanding of the issues surrounding the transgender community
•Don’t assume that a transgender person knows everything about all transgender issues
•Recognize that transgender people hold other identities – they are not just transgender
•Explore cisgender privilege
Other Ideas / Notes
Holling Smith-Borne (Vanderbilt University)
Maddie Dietrich (Old Dominion University)
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