2024 Issue 2 Mar/Apr Focus - Mid-South Magazine

Rainbow Storytime with drag performer
Moth Moth Moth
photo courtesy Jamie Griffin
1st page and above: Pride Fest 2023 at
the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library
photos courtesy Dylan Miller
Butterfly at Pride Fest 2023
photo courtesy Jamie Griffin
Memphis is lucky. Our
library system is unique in
that it's the only system in
the United States to have
won the National Medal
for Museum and Library
Services twice. Our libraries
serve as community hubs,
offering socially conscious
programming to address
the needs of our city's
diverse population. Over the
past decade, there has been
a growing emphasis on
LGBTQIA+ inclusivity within
our library spaces. Queer
book nerds rejoice, for in
the cozy corners of our local
libraries, the presence of
LGBTQIA+ literature offers
the opportunity to find a
voice that resonates with
your own.
I recently had the honor of
speaking with several staff
members at the Benjamin
L. Hooks Central Library,
located in Midtown at 3030
Poplar Avenue, about their
initiatives to create a safe
and welcoming environment
for the Memphis queer
community - especially the
bibliophiles among us.
When asked about
visual markers indicating
the library's commitment
to LGBTQIA+ inclusivity,
Dylan Miller, Public
Services Supervisor for
the Humanities, cited their
use of creative, colorful
LGBTQ-focused book
displays. These displays are
not limited to Pride Month,
either! No, these bookish
beacons of queerness are
scattered throughout the
library year-round, and cater
to all ages.
"When people come in,
if they see those books,
they'll notice and know
that it is a safe, welcoming
space for them," says
Jessica Clark, Public
Services Supervisor for the
Children's Department.
As we spoke, I couldn't
help but notice Jessica's
rainbow lanyard. On that,
she remarked," Yeah!
Staff members often wear
lanyards adorned with pride
symbols, signaling to visitors
that they are approachable
and supportive!"
The library takes a
proactive approach to
ensuring its collection
is diverse and inclusive,
catering to the interests and
identities of book nerds of
all ages. Jessica informed
me of a massive diversity
audit that was recently
conducted for the children's
department. Staff members
Mar+Apr 2024 | focuslgbt.com | Nerd 9