MLA 2024 Conference

Library patrons come in all shapes and sizes – that’s just a fact. It’s also a well-documented fact that people in fat bodies experience increased social stigma, body shaming, and spatial discrimination within built environments. And yet, conversations about IDEA (inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility) rarely include body size. When you design your services and spaces, are you considering whether they are accessible, comfortable, and welcoming for all sizes of patrons and staff?

This presentation will provide attendees with an introduction to the concept of anti-fat bias, how it fits into IDEA frameworks, and how it can manifest and be addressed in a library context. We will also discuss the complicated issue of how we talk about body size, and the historical and political contexts of the “F” word. This session will be valuable to library staff of all types who are invested in creating inclusive and accessible spaces for patrons and staff. Attendees will leave with learning resources and tools to reflect on their own internal biases and advocate for fat bodies in the library.