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CHICAGO – Newly published research study from the American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) peer-reviewed online journal, School Library Research (SLR), investigated high school libraries’ collections of materials with trans themes and characters, and high school librarians’ attitudes about trans books.. Articles can be accessed for free at .

In the recently published “Good Intentions and Poor Collections: The Attitudes of School Librarians in One Southeastern State on Trans Material and Library Holdings,” Rhys Dreeszen Bowman presents a multiple-methods two-part study examining collection development as it pertains to LGBTQIA+ books, with an emphasis on trans books. The researcher collected data via surveys, comparing a “control” list of books to a list of books that focused on trans topics.

This research found that many schools under-collected trans material, compared to other materials that featured non-LGBTQIA+ characters, while admitting that “some libraries in the state do have robust collections of trans material, but access to trans books varies widely across the state, and some students have poor access. This poor access amounts to inequitable service.” The researcher suggests that more research should be done on both how to improve collections of trans material in cities or states that are more hostile to the subject matter, and additional research that considers the perspectives of trans youth as well. To further investigate school librarian’s attitudes Bowman suggests interviews that could “confirm whether or not knowing a trans student impacts how librarians feel about trans books.”

School Library Research (ISSN: 2165-1019) is the successor to School Library Media Research (ISSN: 1523-4320) and School Library Media Quarterly Online. The journal is peer-reviewed and indexed by H. W. Wilson's Library Literature and by the ERIC Clearinghouse on Information & Technology. It welcomes manuscripts that focus on high-quality original research concerning the management, implementation, and evaluation of school libraries.

The American Association of School Librarians, , a division of the 91´«Ã½ (91´«Ã½), empowers leaders to transform teaching and learning.