THE LAST SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE PREJUDICE: GAY AND LESBIAN ISSUES, SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES, AND COVERAGE OF THESE TOPICS IN M.L.I.S./M.L.S. PROGRAMS'

A survey of 465 U.S. (90.5 percent) and Canadian (9.5 percent) 1993 graduates of master's (M.L.I.S. and M.L.S.) programs accredited by the American Library Association (ALA) addressed lesbigay issues within the context of professional social responsibilities. Specifically, graduates were asked to agree or disagree with thirty-three statements reflecting attitudes toward (I) the ALA position on social responsibility as manifested in official professional documents such as the ALA Library Bill of Rights; (2) multiculturalism and political correctness; (3) the status of women in librarianship; (4) gay and lesbian issues in Iibrarianship; 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' selfidentified political orientation, sexual orientation, personal acquaintance with AIDS victims, educational background, and job history. Responses and openended comments indicated that library and information studies and library and information professionals are not ideologically cohesive in their views on women's issues, 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 ideological identity of library and information professionals. 1.