The university of south carolina's school of information science will compile local, regional, and national health resources to create a centralized, visible, and sustainable online lgbtqia+…

The University of South Carolina's School of Information Science received a $249,980 Project Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under the National Leadership Grants for Museums (CFDA 45.312) program. The grant will fund the creation of a centralized, sustainable online LGBTQIA+ consumer health information guide. The project will leverage partnerships with LGBTQIA+ community leaders, public librarians, and health sciences librarians to improve access to crucial health information for LGBTQIA+ individuals nationwide. The primary objectives are to compile local, regional, and national health resources, and to build community trust and understanding among librarians regarding LGBTQIA+ needs. The 3-year project period runs from August 1, 2024 to July 31, 2027.

The university of south carolina's school of information science will compile local, regional, and national health resources to create a centralized, visible, and sustainable online lgbtqia+ consumer health information guide. Libraries have the potential to offer safe spaces for lgbtqia+ individuals, who have historically lacked access to crucial health information, to seek health information and receive professional guidance. Despite this potential, lgbtqia+ people have encountered barriers to library use, including insufficient collections and services. Building off a previous imls grant, the project will leverage established partnerships, including a national network of lgbtqia+ community leaders, public library workers, and health sciences librarians-and a partnership with the network of the national library of medicine region 2 regional medical library-to support the guide's creation and sustainability. The primary beneficiaries are lgbtqia+ people nationwide, who can gain crucial health insights, and librarians, who will deepen their understanding of lgbtqia+ needs and strengthen community trust.