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Dissertation Information for Michele Besant

NAME:
- Michele Besant

DEGREE:
- Ph.D.

DISCIPLINE:
- Library and Information Science

SCHOOL:
- University of Wisconsin, Madison (USA) (1999)

ADVISORS:
- Louise S. Robbins

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
- Dee Michel
- Wayne A. Wiegand
- Jane Lou Collins
- Claudia Falconer Card

MPACT Status: Fully Complete

Title: Perceptions of difference: A grounded theory study with White lesbian librarians

Abstract: Utilizing grounded theory methodology and feminist standpoint theory, twenty-four, white, lesbian, MLS-holding women working in a variety of library types, were interviewed to investigate how they perceive their lesbian identities impact their work as librarians.

Participants strongly identify as both librarians and lesbians. Their definitions of "librarian" center on connecting people with information, having a technical skill set, and "thinking like a librarian." Their definitions of "lesbian" go beyond sexual orientation and include, valuing women, participating in a gay or women's community, and being feminist. Participants are located as "insider/outsiders," a position that emerged as crucial to their theory and practice of librarianship. As white, educated, professionally established women in a predominantly white, educated, female intensive profession, they feel like insiders, but as lesbians they feel like outsiders. They reported their identity as lesbians affects daily tasks such as collection development, access tool creation, and exhibits planning. They reported the most significant impact of their lesbian identities is their awareness of difference, which heightens their sensitivity to people, increases self-awareness of personal bias, and encourages working on issues of all kinds of diversity.

Participants offer critical commentary on the meaning of feminization of the profession, "neutrality," and the cultural dichotomy of the public and private. They suggest librarianship creates a paradox for women, offering good opportunity at a price. They question the possibility of neutrality. They implicitly demonstrate how the "personal is political" at the same time that they acknowledge the importance of the right to privacy.

MPACT Scores for Michele Besant

A = 0
C = 0
A+C = 0
T = 0
G = 0
W = 0
TD = 0
TA = 0
calculated 2008-01-31 06:27:41

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Students under Michele Besant

ADVISEES:
- None

COMMITTEESHIPS:
- None