Fat Positivity in Public Libraries: An Assessment of Inclusive Reference Services

Fat people’s experiences are understudied within the field of library and information science. In response to this, the objective of this master’s paper is to center fat patrons and promote thoughtful consideration of their information needs. Utilizing an unobtrusive methodology, eight self-identified fat participants visited a total of 20 public libraries and asked for assistance finding resources about fat positivity. Library staff were initially uninformed about the study to enable more authentic reference encounters. Through an evaluation of resource suggestions and a content analysis of participant reflections, this paper examines fat people’s sense of belonging and the quality of service and resources they are provided in public libraries. The findings aim to inform and improve library services.