To make the Queerlit database easier to search in, the included works are indexed with subject terms from a thesaurus, called the Queer Literature Indexing Thesaurus (QLIT). The thesaurus contains over 800 subject terms that reflect aspects of literature related to same-sex sexual practices, feelings, and/or identities, as well as the transcendence of binary gender norms through body, clothing, and/or identity. To describe other aspects of literature, such as where and when the depiction takes place, general themes, or genre, subject terms from other subject lists are also used: SAO (Swedish Subject Headings), Barnämnesordslistan (Children’s Subject Headings), and SAOGF (Swedish Subject Headings Genre and Form).
Usually, thesauri are document-based, meaning that the subject terms included should be applicable to any document or work in the collection to be indexed. According to this principle, a new subject term is added only when a book addressing the topic is written. QLIT deliberately deviates from this principle, which means there may be subject terms in the thesaurus that do not yield results in a search. For example, for the subject terms used to describe depictions of LGBTQI individuals, there are specific terms for bisexuals, homosexuals, intersex individuals, queer individuals, and trans individuals, even if there are no books covering each of these groups. By creating subject terms independently of the literature intended to be described, the thesaurus also highlights what literature is missing (or at least has not been indexed). It can also serve as inspiration for precision for both indexers and those seeking literature. If the only subject term available is ”LGBTQI individuals,” no one may think to use a more appropriate term in a particular case, such as ”Young intersex individuals.”
History
QLIT is based on a translation and adaptation of the English-language thesaurus ”Homosaurus – an International LGBTQ+ Linked Data Vocabulary.” A selection of the Homosaurus terms used for fictional works at the two institutions that most extensively implement Homosaurus – Digital Transgender Archive and IHLIA LGBTI Heritage – have been translated, but some relationships between subject terms have been adjusted, and a number of subject terms have been added. The work on the thesaurus continues during the Queerlit project to revise and add subject terms so that literature can be described as accurately as possible. After the conclusion of the Queerlit project (December 2023), the responsibility for updates will be taken over by KvinnSam – the National Library for Gender Studies.
Structure
QLIT is structured on linked data, where the subject terms have relationships with each other and with terms from other thesauri. The relationships can be hierarchical, associative, or equivalent.
- Hierarchical relationships: The thesaurus consists of several top terms, which are usually linked to one or more subordinate, more specific subject terms. For example, the subject term ”HBTQI-personer” (LGBTQI individuals) can be specified with subject terms such as “Bisexuella” (Bisexuals), “Homosexuella” (Homosexuals),” “Intersexpersoner” (Intersex individuals), “Queera personer” (Queer individuals), and “Transpersoner” (Trans individuals) (and several others, such as “Migranter (HBTQI)” (Migrants (LGBTQI)) and “Äldre HBTQI-personer” (Elderly LGBTQI individuals)) – and these can in turn have further subordinate subject terms. The subject term that most accurately describes what is depicted in a book is used, but subject terms with common overarching subject terms are not mutually exclusive, so it is possible to use both ”Bisexuals” and ”Migrants (LGBTQI)” to index a work. Hierarchical relationships are referred to as broader and narrower here, with the underlying data describing them as such.
- Associative relationships: Subject terms can be linked to each other independently of hierarchy if they can be understood to have a close associative connection. For example, the subject terms “Barnbarn” (Grandchildren) and “Mor- och farföräldrar” (Grandparents) are related in this way. Such relationships are referred to as related here, with the underlying data describing them as related.
- Equivalent relationships: The subject terms in QLIT that have counterparts in Homosaurus, SAO, Barnämnesordslistan, or LCSH – Library of Congress Subject Headings – are linked to these. The relationship can be exact – if the subject terms refer to the exact same concept – or close – if there is some minor difference in what the subject terms refer to. For example, the QLIT term “Föräldrar till bögar” (Parents of gay men) is related as an exact match to the Homosaurus term ”Parents of gay men” and as a close match to the LCSH term ”Parents of gays,” as the latter is used for both parents of gay men and parents of lesbians. In the underlying data, exact matches are described as exactMatch, and close matches as closeMatch.
The hierarchical structure allows for more inclusive searches, so that, for example, a search for the subject term “HBTQI-personer” ( LGBTQI individuals) also yields results for works indexed with subject terms like ”Bisexuella” (Bisexuals), “Äldre HBTQI-personer” (Elderly LGBTQI individuals), or other subject terms subordinate to the search term. The associative relationships do not directly affect search functionality but can serve as guidance and inspiration for those seeking literature on a subject and interested in related topics. Matches to equivalent terms in other thesauri make it possible to find results for searches in English versions or alternative phrasings of subject terms – for example, so that a search for ”Parents of gay men” in English yields results for works indexed with the subject term ”Föräldrar till bögar.”
Many subject terms also have listed alternative concepts, further increasing searchability. These can include synonyms, slang terms, abbreviations, or equivalent words in other languages, as well as terms that may be considered outdated or derogatory. A search for, for example, “HBTQI-samer” (LGBTQI Sami), “Sámit (HBTQI)” (Sámit (LGBTQI)), or “Lappar (HBTQI)” (Lapps (LGBTQI)) will thus yield results for works indexed with the preferred term ”Samer (HBTQI).” These alternative concepts are referred to as “Varianter” here, with the underlying data describing them as altLabel and the preferred terms as prefLabel.
Each subject term is accompanied by a brief description explaining how the concept is used in this context and sometimes provides references to other subject terms that should be used in certain cases. These descriptions are referred to as “Anvisning” here, with the underlying data describing them as scopeNote.
Peripheral Subjects
Usually, works are indexed with subject terms that describe the most prominent and central topics in the book. Queerlit wants to make it possible to also find LGBTQI motifs that appear more incidentally and may not have a decisive impact on the overall depiction. When you search on Queerlit’s own page, you may sometimes see subject terms like “Unga intersexpersoner – perifert” (Young intersex individuals – peripheral). This may mean that a young intersex individual is depicted on the periphery of the story, or that young intersex individuals are briefly discussed. The technical solution behind the peripheral subject terms is based on the indexing of what is known as a holdings record, ”beståndspost”, in these cases – where information specific to the copies held in a particular library’s collection is usually noted – rather than in an instance record, ”instanspost”, – which is intended for information that is common to a specific edition of a work. For those searching in Libris web search or a local library catalog, the peripheral subject terms will not be visible – they are only included in Queerlit’s own interface.