LGBTQ*

In order to build and maintain a healthy community, members need to understand their past. The Transgender Archives at the University of Victoria Libraries is home to the world's largest collection of trans, nonbinary, Two-Spirit, and gender-diverse history. In December 2019, we proudly launched an online discovery tool to search our collection of publications, which include articles written by trailblazing community members, and historical events that shaped trans activism and history. In this presentation, Michael Radmacher (MLIS, MA) and Shahira Khair (M.Sc, MIS) will tell the story of this project, and will offer a demonstration of the new discovery tool.

The University of Victoria Libraries is home to the world’s largest Transgender Archives (TGA). We are exceptional in our focus, size, and scope when compared to other archives in that our collections are explicitly dedicated to the preservation of the original documents recording the history of pioneering activists, community leaders, and researchers who have contributed to the betterment of trans, non-binary, and Two-Spirit people. In this presentation, Lara Wilson and Michael Radmacher will discuss the past, present, and future of the Transgender Archives. They will answer questions such as: How did the TGA start at UVic? What unique and one-of-a-kind materials are housed at the TGA? What new collections have been recently donated? What are the TGA's current and future projects related to community outreach, accessibility, and digitization? Lastly, this presentation will offer a hands-on experience with a selection of the TGA’s rare materials. Come put your hands on hirstory.

Bring your rainbow flags and glitter, and come on out for Pride Month celebrations at the library. Learn how and why your library can participate, what others in the province are already doing, and about some of the resources available to support staff and community members alike. This session will begin with a very brief primer on terminology and etiquette for working with the LGBTQ+ community, context about Pride celebrations, and recent highlights from Alberta communities. Library-specific content will cover ideas for Pride month programs and community participation, and ways to ensure your library is welcoming to the LGBTQ+ community year-round through staff training, policies, facilities and programs.