The social function of public libraries in access to LGBTQIAPN+ citizenship

a reading from the perspective of social library science

Abstract

This article analyzes the social function of public libraries in providing access to citizenship for the LGBTQIAPN+ population, from the perspective of Social Librarianship. It is considered that these institutions, by guaranteeing access to information, culture, and social spaces, can act as instances of inclusion, representation, and combating social inequalities. However, they face challenges such as precariousness, invisibility, and the lack of policies focused on the demands of historically marginalized groups. The objective is to understand how public libraries can promote access to LGBTQIAPN+ citizenship, proposing practical guidelines for inclusive policies, services, and collections. The aim is to consolidate a critical, intersectional, and socially committed librarianship, guided by equity, diversity, and social justice. Methodologically, this is exploratory, basic research, based on a narrative literature review. International documents such as the IFLA/UNESCO Manifestos (1994; 2022) and Brazilian and Latin American scientific productions on social librarianship, citizenship, and LGBTQIAPN+ rights were analyzed. The critical analysis integrated normative and empirical perspectives, interpreted in light of a critical-social framework of Library Science and Information Science. The conclusion is that public libraries have great potential as spaces for LGBTQIAPN+ emancipation and citizenship, provided they are guided by ethical and political principles committed to human rights. Strategic practices include welcoming policies, inclusive collections, non-pathologizing language, continuing education, partnerships with social movements, and the creation of safe environments. This reaffirms the role of public libraries as agents of social transformation and citizenship strengthening, aligned with IFLA/UNESCO guidelines and Social Librarianship.