Library Guides: LGBTQ: Finding Books

Example Searches

Searching the Libraries' discovery layer for keyterms and subject headings will pull up books and ebooks (as well as articles).

Discover@MU
A simple and fast search engine that helps you find relevant information on any topic from the University of Missouri Libraries’ collections. Results contain citations for scholarly journal articles, books and e-books, DVDs, magazines, newspapers, and dissertations.

You can additionally request materials from MOBIUS, a statewide network of Missouri college and university libraries, if we don't have the book here at MU or if our copy is checked out.

Searching by subject headings, and limiting to books/ebooks is a great way to find fewer, and more specific resources. These terms are created by the Library of Congress, and are used across libraries. For example:

You might also consider searching for subject headings like Gender Identity, Homosexuality, Lesbianism, Transsexualism, Transgenderism, Sexual Minorities, and Sexual Orientation.

LGBTQ Books at the Library

MU Libraries shelves books based on Library of Congress Classification System, meaning all resources with similar topics are located together. Most LGBTQ materials in Ellis Library can be found between HQ70-HQ80 in 2 East.

Within the record for each book is an expandable section titled "Similar Books," which can assist in finding additional resources for your research, or your next favorite book! For example, the first book in this list, "You can tell just by looking..." recommends similar titles of "Queer America: A GLBT history of the 20th century," "Gay rights and moral panic," "Stonewall: The riots that sparked the gay revolution," and more. Check out a few of these titles to get an idea of what MU has to offer:

You Can Tell Just by Looking by Michael Bronski; Ann Pellegrini; Michael Amico
ISBN: 9780807042458
Publication Date: 2013-10-01
2014 Lambda Literary Award Finalist: LGBT Nonfiction Breaks down the most commonly held misconceptions about lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and their lives. Myths, such as "All Religions Condemn Homosexuality" and "Transgender People Are Mentally Ill," have been used to justify discrimination and oppression of LGBT people. In discussing and dispelling these myths--including gay-positive ones--the authors challenge readers to question their own beliefs and to grapple with the complexities of what it means to be queer in the broadest social, political, and cultural sense.
LGBTQ Youth and Education by Cris Mayo; James A. Banks (Ed.)
ISBN: 0807754889
Publication Date: 2013-12-13
Based on the diverse experiences of LGBTQ students and their allies, this essential volume brings together in one resource the major issues that schools must address to improve the educational outcomes for gender and sexual minority students--as well as all students.
Social Work Practice with the LGBTQ+ Community by Michael P. Dentato (Ed.)
ISBN: 9780197573495
Publication Date: 2022-07-01
Aims to weave together the realms of sociopolitical, historical, and policy contexts in order to assist readers with understanding the base for effective and affirming health and mental health practice with diverse members of the LGBTQ+ community. This book features applicable and useful content for social work students and practitioners across the allied health and mental health professions, as well as across disciplines.