Creating Library Collections to Support the Teaching and Learning of LGBTQIA+ Cultural Competencies for Students in the Health Sciences

Background: It's estimated that 4.5% of Americans identify as LGBTQ+, yet many healthcare workers are insufficiently trained to provide comprehensive healthcare to these patients. The Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences University (MCPHS University) offers over 100 health sciences programs to students. Last spring, the MCPHS Library built a collection of LGBTQIA+ resources for its health sciences students and faculty. The goal of the collection is to raise awareness of the healthcare needs of LGBTQIA+ patients and to complement the health science curricula at the school.

Description: This idea for this collection came after attending the symposium “Communities in Crisis: Libraries Responding to the Opioid Epidemic” in Devens, MA, in November 2019. A number of libraries presented innovative programs they set up in their communities to provide assistance, support and educational resources around the opioid epidemic in New England. After this conference, the MCPHS Library secured funding from the IMLS to purchase video materials that raise awareness of mental health issues affecting LGBTQIA+ populations.

Conclusion: We initially envisioned promoting this collection through a number of community screenings of documentaries purchased with the Social Infrastructure grant. The idea was to engage students and faculty through film screenings and discussions around issues affecting LGBTQIA+ patients. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, these screenings and discussions are postponed. The collection has primarily been promoted to MCPHS faculty and departments; instead of community events, the collection is currently primarily used in classes, including nursing.