Work

Bridging the Gap: An Empirical Study of Reader Interests and LGBTQIA+ Collections in Japanese Public Libraries

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: This study aimed to identify LGBTQIA+ books that readers want to read but are rarely available in public libraries in Japan. A survey of 618 LGBTQIA+ and 515 non-LGBTQIA+ individuals assessed interest in 297 LGBTQIA+ titles, and the results were compared with checklist data on their availability in public library collections. The comparison revealed that many titles, particularly manga-style essays written by LGBTQIA+ authors or their family members and romance fiction featuring LGBTQIA+ themes, were desired by LGBTQIA+ respondents but underrepresented in library collections. This study recommends expanding these collections and incorporating user feedback, contributing to inclusive public library services.

Source: Public Library Quarterly

DOI: 10.1080/01616846.2026.2719404

Author: Yuhiro Mizunuma

Institution: Momoyama Gakuin University

Language: English

Topic: Library Science and Administration

Subfield: Library and Information Sciences

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: hybrid

Funder: Japan Society for the Promotion of Science