THE LAST SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE PREJUDICE - GAY AND LESBIAN ISSUES, SOCIAL-RESPONSIBILITIES, AND COVERAGE OF THESE TOPICS IN MLIS MLS PROGRAMS

A survey of 465 U.S. (90.5 percent) and Canadian (9.5 percent) 1993 gr aduates of master's (M.L.I.S. and M.L.S.) programs accredited by the A merican Library Association (ALA) addressed lesbigay issues within the context of professional social responsibilities. Specifically, gradua tes were asked to agree or disagree with thirty-three statements refle cting attitudes toward (1) the ALA position on social responsibility a s manifested in official professional documents such as the ALA Librar y Bill of Rights; (2) multiculturalism and political correctness; (3) the status of women in librarianship; (4) gay and lesbian issues in li brarianship; and (5) the treatment these topics received in their M.L. I.S. and M.L.S. programs. Extensive personal data were also solicited, including the subjects' self-identified political orientation, sexual orientation, personal acquaintance with AIDS victims, educational bac kground, and job history. Responses and open-ended comments indicated that library and information studies and library and information profe ssionals are not ideologically cohesive in their views on women's issu es, lesbigays, or the relationship between social responsibilities and professionalism. The findings of the study, although not definitive, would seem to justify more exhaustive studies on the demographic and i deological identity of library and information professionals.