In Arkansas, a new study shows, less than 1 percent of school libraries carry books with GLBT themes. And only 21% of public libraries do. And only 5% of University libraries -- which are entirely geared for people over 18.

The researchers surveyed media specialists and checked the online catalogs of public and university libraries for 21 of the most popular gay-, bisexual-, lesbian-, and transgender-themed books published between 1999 and 2005. They included titles such as:
Alex Sanchez’s Rainbow Boys
Brent Hartinger’s Geography Club
David Levithan’s Boy Meets Boy.
Each book they searched was described as a coming-of-age story or labeled as juvenile or young adult fiction by the publisher.

This situation makes me very sad. I've read the books -- they're excellent. They're popular, and some people not only want to read them -- their lives will be changed for the better by doing so.

For more, go visit the As If! blog -- Authors Supporting Intellectual Freedom.