Between my internship time constraints (I’m 2/3 of the way through), preparing presentations for our OCLC team, and the researching, writing, revising exhibits for our EPC meeting in July, we’ve been busy here these past few months in the DDC office. Let me tell you a bit about the projects I’ve been working on.
My focus has been on topics that primarily affect the LGBTQIA+ community. Currently, I have three projects that will be presented to the EPC board for approval; I’m hoping to have at least one more, and if I can manage it, two more projects by then. Curious? I’m excited to tell you about them, so read on!
My first topic was suggested by a librarian (remember, you can email us at [email protected] with ideas and suggestions) for the best place to classify books on drag Once I researched the history behind drag, what drag is and isn’t, and the talented people that perform drag, we will be proposing a number of 792.72 Drag, which falls under the 792 Stage presentations. In other words, drag will have its space so that readers can find information and understanding.
While researching drag, it became quickly apparent that the topic of transvestism (306.778) needed to be addressed as well. First, the term is outdated with cross dressing being the preferred term. Secondly, referring to scholarly works and articles, it quickly became clear that the intention of cross dressing determines how the topic should be classified. This led to many discussions with agreement to not only change “transvestism” to “cross dressing”, but to deprecate 306.778, and also create 391.68 Cross dressing, under the 391.6 Personal appearance classification.
Of course, cross dressing is also related to gender identity. Historically, Dewey follows current knowledge and accepted practices. At one point, the topic of “gender identity disorder” was classified as a sexual disorder at 616.8583 under the broader mental disorders and next to sex addiction and sexual abuse. Not only is this outdated, but it reduces individuals into medical specimens. Once again referring to DSM–5, ICD–11, and various scholarly medical articles, I found that science is gaining a better understanding of the biological influences on gender identity, and the adoption of the term “gender dysphoria” is much more accurate and meaningful. Gender dysphoria is more of an emotion based condition than an ailment, and acceptance and affirmation is the largest part of moving forward. The DDC is crowded and finding just the right place was difficult. With some input from gender nonconforming librarians, the proposal of expanding 616.8527 Depressive disorders (which already includes other emotional disorders) to become “Depressive disorders and dysphoria” (as there are 4 main types of known dysphoria) is supported and brings the topic more inline with today’s knowledge.
Knowledge is a powerful thing. Expanding that knowledge is what libraries are about. Maybe the knowledge in these topics will help someone understand their daughter or son, brother or sister, parents, friends, neighbors, or even themselves. That’s what the DDC editors are here for—helping libraries help their users expand their knowledge.
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