One Size Fits None: A Scoping Review of Anti-Fatness and Libraries

This scoping review analyzes the available literature on how libraries perpetuate anti-fatness in their physical spaces, collections, catalogs, and treatment of fat patrons and library workers. The authors searched databases and grey literature, tracked citations in included works, and found one source by happenstance. Ultimately, 251 written works across different publication channels were reviewed, and six works met the inclusion criteria of discussing anti-fatness as related to libraries. The included literature denotes a throughline of discrimination against fat people in libraries, whether focusing on library workers, patrons, physical spaces, collections and cataloging, or the catalog and metadata. More research is needed on anti-fatness in libraries to better create an equitable environment for patrons and library workers of all sizes.