Public libraries, while providing a standardised general service, are often tailored to the
communities they serve. This relies on the visibility and understanding of social groups
within the local population. Across the country, the social, cultural, political, and
historical local contexts influence the size and/or prominence of the LGBTQ+
community, and subsequently how they are served in public services. This project
implemented a comparative case study research strategy to examine the differences in
LGBTQ+ information and service provision between two contrasting environments: a
rural Conservative area and an urban Labour area. Data collection methods comprised
of a collection evaluation, interviews, desk research, and physical observation. An
examination into specialist LGBTQ+ information services proffered comparison of
general rural and urban approaches to LGBTQ+ service provision. The results of this
study show that the urban Labour public library authority had a more extensive
LGBTQ+ service than the rural Conservative public library authority, the latter having
comparatively less holistic strategies which upheld the promotion and visibility of
LGBTQ+ materials all year round. Broadly, rural services viewed LGBTQ+ information
provision as beneficial to non-LGBTQ+ people and urban services viewed LGBTQ+
information provision primarily as for LGBTQ+ people who have historically been
excluded from mainstream services. The rural population were less enthused about
LGBTQ+ services offered than the urban population. This project suggests that social,
cultural, political, and historical contexts are important but not exclusive factors
affecting how LGBTQ+ information and service provision is viewed, actioned, and
received.