LSU students, faculty, and staff can now easily discover the Libraries’ recently updated collections by and about transgender, nonbinary, and intersex people through the Trans* Collections Libguide and a new link that displays relevant print and electronic books in LSU’s catalog.

The Diversity Committee’s Collections Taskforce began its project to enhance and highlight the Libraries’ trans* collections by studying diversity-focused collection development projects completed at other libraries. The Taskforce then surveyed relevant subject headings within LSU’s current catalog, identifying the Libraries’ collections by and about trans* people as relatively small. Taskforce members noted specific gaps in existing collections by comparing the Libraries’ trans* materials with nationally recognized bibliographies and book awards--namely, American Library Association Stonewall Awards, American Library Association TRANScending Identities Bibliography, and Association of College & Research Libraries Transgender/Gender-Nonconforming Core Books List--as well as with suggestions from LSU faculty. Finally, Taskforce members created a catalog link to available materials from the selected lists and faculty surveys, and they compiled a list of recommended items that the Libraries’ did not already own. From that list, LSU Libraries has already purchased approximately 150 items, significantly updating the university’s representation of trans* authors, creators, and topics. 

Diversity Committee’s Collections Taskforce members (pictured above from left to right) are Marty Miller, Michael Russo, Brittany O’Neill, Zach Tompkins, Leah Powell Duncan, and Jennifer Mitchell (not pictured).

Pride Month is a great time to check out LSU Libraries’ updated trans* collections, which are now easily discoverable through our new Trans* Collections Research Guide and compiled catalog list.