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Lightning Talk

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Lightning Talk:

Rainbow Libraries: Welcoming LGBTIQA+ families into our Public Libraries

Presenter:
Violet de Graauw
Date:
Wednesday 13 May | 1:30pm – 2:00pm 

Presentation Description:

LGBTIQA+ parents and young people, and public libraries, have been the target of increasing levels of vilification over the last few years, creating a complex and challenging environment for public library staff just wanting to do their jobs – creating inclusive services, programs and collections for their local communities.

In response, the Rainbow Libraries Toolkit project—supported by Public Libraries Victoria—was developed to equip library staff with practical guidance, case studies and training to support inclusive, community-focused services.

This lightning talk will introduce the toolkit, outline its development in collaboration with library staff and rainbow communities, and highlight key learnings for creating safe, inclusive and resilient library environments. It will offer actionable insights to support library professionals in confidently advocating for and delivering inclusive services for LGBTIQA+ children, young people and families.

Violet de Graauw

Children’s and Youth Services Library Technician, Merri-bek Libraries

Presenter Bio

Violet de Graauw is a Children’s and Youth Services Library Technician at Merri-bek Libraries with a passion for inclusivity and community support. She has led the development on numerous events for LGBTIQA+ children, families and young people, including monthly Rainbow Storytimes (one of the only regular library-run programs for rainbow families in Australia), and is actively involved in collection management. Violet is also a member of Merri-bek Libraries’ Lee Ellis Working Group, through which LGBTIQA+ staff members are able to improve library offerings, drive projects and work together to allocate funds bequeathed by Lee in ways that will support the LGBTIQA+ library endeavours. In 2024, Violet was project lead on the Rainbow Libraries project, sponsored by Public Libraries Victoria, which sought to create resources to support public library staff in making their libraries more inclusive and welcoming to LGBTIQA+ families. As an LGBTIQA+ person and as a library worker, finding a way to help address the increasing level of vilification facing rainbow families and libraries who work to support them over is very important to Violet, both professionally and personally.