Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Another resource...
Illinois Libraries (Spring 2001), 39-70.
This study by CJ Ritchie seeks to evaluate the role of public libraries in the glbt community. Ritchie seeks to qualify the
observation that many public libraries have sub-par collections when it comes to glbt topics and resources, and little or no collection policy for those resources. Although this study pertains to public libraries in Illinois, it provides a good understanding of the role of the regular or small town library in the glbt community. This article provides a great benchmark to compare with Madison’s LGBT Campus Center, and also offers insight into developing a collection policy centered around these issues. The quality of research and detail in this study are very high, making it a worthwhile read for that reason as well.
Monday, February 19, 2007
TRC narrative
“Tenant Resource Center (TRC) offers free counseling for tenants and landlords interested in learning more about their rental rights and responsibilities. Information on state and local rental laws and regulations and lease screening services are available at TRC. We can also refer clients to other agencies when appropriate to assist them with their needs.” [1]
Further, they describe their staff :
Tenant Resource Center (TRC) is a non-profit membership organization with a small staff that relies primarily on volunteers to provide housing counseling, mediation services and office assistance.[2]
As an information agency, they are a clearinghouse for all issues of tenancy from both the perspective of the landlord and the tenant. The TRC can assist with tenant/landlord relations and has links out to organizations within the community and the state of Wisconsin dealing with issues of tenancy and renting, as well as resources for low cost and transitional housing. They also sponsor a variety of workshops that help landlord and law enforcement officials to understand the laws of tenancy in Wisconsin. They also address other important housing issues that help alleviate housing crises for various vulnerable populations, like those in transitional or shelter housing situations, and for tenants facing eviction and/or utilities issues.
[1] Tenantresroucecenter.org, home page
[2] Tenantresourcecenter.org, home page
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Resources draft 1/17
I will check later to see how you think it looks. I typed it in Word, so I can simply send the file if you want. Editing on the blog is such a drag! I also hate the Times New Roman font, but that is neither here nor there.....
Got to go sledding in this newly "warm" weather! I'll check in later this afternoon! I'll also post a quick summary of stuff on the Tenant RC later, for our fallback.
As such, the center has a wide variety of resources to support its informational and outreach activities.
First, the center employs a staff of nine, including the director, Terry ___. They also employ and recruit the services of volunteers to help with their mission. The functions these volunteers help fulfill are mainly an adjunct to the programs and services that the center offers, and include Mentor, LGBT Peer Educator, Ally, and Support Group Leader. The volunteers help with the outreach activities like the Speakers’ Group, that educates members of the student community on LGBT issues.
There is office space designated within the center for the staff, and the center has generous open hours: Monday-Thursday: 9am-5pm, Friday: 10am-5:00pm, Saturday: closed, Sunday: 12:00 - 5:00pm. Equipment in the Center includes: a VCR, a DVD player, a TV, computers with Internet access, and the book contents of the newly catalogued library, popular magazines dealing with LGBTQ issues, like The Advocate, as well as considerable printed materials and pamphlets with information ranging from advocacy to advice on safe sexual practices to religious and spiritual information. Academic links include the LGBTCC Library (recently incorporated into MADCAT), and information on the LGBT Studies Certificate, opportunities for international study, the University Committee on GLBT Issues, and the UW Women’s Studies Program. There is also information available on the various national organizations for GLBTQ issues at the center.
Of Course, this being the Internet Age, the center supports a well-designed and attractive website, packed full of information and links to the campus and to the larger world of LGBTQ issues and advocacy. They also link out to the opposition, which is interesting and curious in a group that is so strongly supportive of their community. We will have to explore their willingness to address and expose potential users of their site and center to the negative aspects of the opposition community, offering links to anti-gay and reparative therapy and ex-gay organizations. Is this even-handedness and fairness, defense through greater awareness or some other motivation? Here is a list of some of the links that the LGBTCC provides on their website:
Student OrganizationsReligious/SpiritualTransgenderIntersexBisexualQueer People of ColorNational OrganizationsSafety and HealthSexual and Domestic ViolenceAlcohol and Drug AbuseCounseling ServicesWomen's IssuesMarriage and Legal IssuesHarassmentUniversity Housing/Off-Campus HousingLGBT Foundations Sources of Financial Aid and ScholarshipsAnti-Gay LinksReparative Therapy & Ex-Gay
Friday, February 16, 2007
My information
Section i:
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ)
The Lesbian, Gay Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Campus Center (LGBTCC) recently incorporated its collection of materials into the
Through our research we intend to define and evaluate the information services offered by the LGBTCC. We will then attempt to evaluate the effectiveness of their information distribution and develop strategies to improve those services. Our group intends to interview the director of the LGBTCC to find additional information, including their involvement/affiliation with other campus and community groups, whether or not they share resources with those groups, and their selection process. We will also inquire about the populations they seek to serve and if they have target groups for their services. It is also important for us to address the recent changes that have taken place in the organization of the agency, with special regards to any changes in user groups or methods of distribution.
The aim and goals of the LGBTCC are clearly stated on their webpage section “About Us.” In it, they describe their mission statement, what the center offers, what is available in the office, and information about staff members. The statement is as follows:
The
- Educating the campus community about issues of sexual orientation and gender identity
- Providing a safe space for students to socialize, study, and access resources
- Organizing and hosting programs and social/support groups
- Advocating for the needs and concerns of LGBTQ students
- Empowering students through leadership development
As shown, the LGBTQCC is a place that serves as a safe haven for LGBTQ students on campus. It is also a hub for special programs and outreach that help to teach and communicate with all students at the university.
The history of the LGBTQCC was not an area that the website stressed therefore we are hoping to find out more of the campus center’s history through our interviews.
Resources:
1. Staff: 9 staff members (says 7)
2. Volunteers:
3. Equipment: VCR, DVD player, TV, computers, books, movies
4. Office space:
5. Printed materials:
6. Internet: YES
7. Programs: Speakers Bureau to visit dorms/classes/etc., support groups, library
8. Hours: Monday-Thursday:
Friday:
Saturday: closed
Sunday:
9. Academics links: LGBTCC Library, LGBT Studies Certificate, Study Abroad, University Committee on GLBT Issues, Women’s Studies Program
10. Opportunities for Involvement:
11. More Resources:
Student Organizations
Religious/Spiritual
Transgender
Intersex
Bisexual
Queer People of Color
National Organizations
Safety and Health
Sexual and Domestic Violence
Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Counseling Services
Women's Issues
Marriage and Legal Issues
Harassment
University Housing/Off-Campus Housing
LGBT Foundations Sources of Financial Aid and Scholarships
Anti-Gay Links
Reparative Therapy & Ex-Gay
I'm a little at sea after missing the class on Tuesday. I am listed as creating narrative for the Resources part of the outline. Does that mean all of the resources, print, links, staff, equpiment? Just let me know how much of this you want me to turn into narrative and I will go forward.
Also, on the literature review, what is our focus? I can find a lot of articles about being gay, etc and coming out in college, but haven't located anything yet that incorporates a campus center in someone's story. I was hoping to find the perfect article about someone who found their campus center for lgbtq an invaluable resource, but I haven't found it yet....
Any other ideas besides the excellent lit review of the Gittings piece?
I will be checking in all weekend, so feel free to email or post, as needed.
As for the part i intro, looks good, although I would elaborate a little more in the second paragraph on the selection process, and I think you mean additional when referring to the director's interview instead of addition. Otherwise, I think the first paragraph is just great.
So, let me know how much to go for and I'll get cracking! Talk to you all soon!
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Non-Profits:
The GLBTQ center imports a ton of information in print to distribute to their patrons, they must include some kind of GLBTQ issue or "alley" of the GLBTQ community. Such non-profits include Domestic Violence places such as Intervention Services, OutReach Inc., Rape Crisis Center etc.
-Sex Out Loud : info. about STIs and Testing
-Madison's Gay Hockey Club
-LGBT Coming Out groups
-Mentoring Programs
-Other Campus GLBTq Orgs. such as the 10% society
-Department of Public Health for HIV/AIDS and STD education and prevention.
-The Tenant Resource Center.
-There are a BUNCH of contact numbers and names for all these orgs.
The Library:
-Contains 4 Computers, 1 printer, 1 copy machine
-has approx.2500 books that are cataloged in MADCat with 100% of the materials dealing with GLBTQ issues and stories.
-Has 1 Library Staff member and 1 Information Specialist
-All materials can be checked out/ used for ALL UW students, staff and faculty.
Org.
-Started a bookclub last week "Gender and Sexuality Bookclub"
-Has a list serve
-Magazines are NOT cataloged into MADCat : Magazines include Advocate, Out, Out Traveler and other GLBTQ magazines.
-One full time staff with multiple volunteers for the Org. not the library.
-Information for a bunch of GLBTQ events coming up including PRIDE.
-Leadership workshops to teach classroom, residence hall, student organization or community group in GLBTQ issues.
outline revision
Section i Research:
The Lesbian, Gay Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Campus Center (LGBTCC) recently incorporated its collection of materials into the University of Wisconsin Library System. Their unique collection provides access to a variety of materials that were previously unavailable to UW students. Studying the information needs and services of this agency is ideal due to the variety of information available at the LGBTCC, and the diverse group of people they serve.
Through our research we intend to define and evaluate the information services offered by the LGBTCC. We will then attempt to evaluate the effectiveness of their information distribution and develop strategies to improve those services. Our group intends to interview the director of the LGBTCC to find addition information, including their involvement/affiliation with other campus and community groups, whether or not they share resources with those groups, and their selection process. We will also inquire about the populations they seek to serve and if they have target groups for their services. It is also important for us to address the recent changes that have taken place in the organization of the agency, with special regards to any changes in user groups or methods of distribution.
3. LGBT Campus Center Description (Website and Visit):
Group Members:
· Age: college age, both undergrad and graduate
· Background: various
· Level of education: college
Organizational Setting:
Aim/Goals:
The Mission of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ) Campus Center is to strengthen and sustain an inclusive campus community for LGBTQ and allied students by eliminating heterosexism, homophobia, and gender identity oppression. Our goal is to provide the services and resources necessary to meet the social, emotional, academic and cultural needs of LGBTQ students. We constantly strive to meet our mission through:
Educating the campus community about issues of sexual orientation and gender identity
Providing a safe space for students to socialize, study, and access resources
Organizing and hosting programs and social/support groups
Advocating for the needs and concerns of LGBTQ students
Empowering students through leadership development
History:
Resources:
1. Staff: 9 staff members (says 7)
2. Volunteers:
3. Equipment: VCR, DVD player, TV, computers, books, movies
4. Office space:
5. Printed materials:
6. Internet: YES
7. Programs: Speakers Bureau to visit dorms/classes/etc., support groups, library
8. Hours: Monday-Thursday: 9am-5pm
Friday: 10am-5:00pm
Saturday: closed
Sunday: 12:00 - 5:00pm
9. Academics links: LGBTCC Library, LGBT Studies Certificate, Study Abroad, University Committee on GLBT Issues, Women’s Studies Program
10. Opportunities for Involvement: Mentor, LGBT Peer Educator, Ally, Visit the CC, Support Group Leader, Attend Events, Volunteer, LGBT Reception
11. More Resources:
Student Organizations
Religious/Spiritual
Transgender
Intersex
Bisexual
Queer People of Color
National Organizations
Safety and Health
Sexual and Domestic Violence
Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Counseling Services
Women's Issues
Marriage and Legal Issues
Harassment
University Housing/Off-Campus Housing
LGBT Foundations Sources of Financial Aid and Scholarships
Anti-Gay Links
Reparative Therapy & Ex-Gay
Section ii Literature Review:
Barbara Gittings, "Gays in Library Land: The Gay and Lesbian Task Force of the American Library Association: The First Sixteen Years" in Daring to Find Our Names: The Search for Lesbigay Library History, James V. Carmichael, Jr, ed (Westport: Greenwood Press), 1998.
This article by Barbara Gittings is part of a greater collection, which seeks to explore the relationship between sexual minorities and libraries. Gittings' narrative revolves around her personal experience with the Task Force on Gay Liberation (TFGL) that was formed in 1970 and then endorsed by the ALA's Social Responsibilities Round Table (SSRT). As the title states, the time span of the article is limited to the first sixteen years of the TFGL's activity (from 1970-1986). The reader is given insight into the history of Gay and Lesbian literature in libraries, and the impact that the TFGL at annual ALA conferences and in individual libraries. This is a unique resource, as it offers not only information on Gay and Lesbian literature and librarianship, but also shows a glimpse into the life of Barbara Gittings, and the role libraries played in affirming her sexual identity.
Monday, February 12, 2007
Agenda for 2/13/07
I thought it would be good for everyone to come up with three research goals and three questions our study proposes to answer. We can compare at our meeting tomorrow and choose the best ones. Lets focus on these three things tomorrow...
1. Research goals/questions
2. How to split parts i and ii for our first deadline
3. Drafting an email to the director
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
LGBTQ Part i notes 2-7
Section i Research:
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ)
1. Research goals:
2. Questions to answer:
3.
Group Members:
· Age: college age, both undergrad and graduate
· Background: various
· Level of education: college
Organizational Setting:
Aim/Goals:
The
- Educating the campus community about issues of sexual orientation and gender identity
- Providing a safe space for students to socialize, study, and access resources
- Organizing and hosting programs and social/support groups
- Advocating for the needs and concerns of LGBTQ students
- Empowering students through leadership development
History:
Resources:
1. Staff: 9 staff members (says 7)
2. Volunteers:
3. Equipment: VCR, DVD player, TV, computers, books, movies
4. Office space:
5. Printed materials:
6. Internet: YES
7. Programs: Speakers Bureau to visit dorms/classes/etc., support groups, library
8. Hours: Monday-Thursday:
Friday:
Saturday: closed
Sunday:
9. Academics links: LGBTCC Library, LGBT Studies Certificate, Study Abroad, University Committee on GLBT Issues, Women’s Studies Program
10. Opportunities for Involvement:
11. More Resources:
Student Organizations
Religious/Spiritual
Transgender
Intersex
Bisexual
Queer People of Color
National Organizations
Safety and Health
Sexual and Domestic Violence
Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Counseling Services
Women's Issues
Marriage and Legal Issues
Harassment
University Housing/Off-Campus Housing
LGBT Foundations Sources of Financial Aid and Scholarships
Anti-Gay Links
Reparative Therapy & Ex-Gay
Hello Everyone
Carling