Kelly is a former librarian and a long-time blogger at STACKED. She's the editor/author of (DON'T) CALL ME CRAZY: 33 VOICES START THE CONVERSATION ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH and the editor/author of HERE WE ARE: FEMINISM FOR THE REAL WORLD. Her next book, BODY TALK, will publish in Fall 2020. Follow her on Instagram @heykellyjensen.
‘Tis the season of all things Pride, and as always, the library is part and parcel of that celebration in June and through the whole year. As the rights of queer people continue to be attacked across the country, including in the library, it’s especially important that libraries speak up and out against discrimination. Libraries are institutions of democracy and civic engagement, and libraries uphold the rights of all to not only access materials of interest but everyone should also be able to see themselves in those collections.
Libraries exist to meet the needs and interests of all people, from birth to the elderly. Not all books in the library are for everyone, but everyone should be able to find a book that suits them. No one person gets to dictate what can or cannot be in the library nor what any individual can or cannot have access to. Despite the right-wing dog whistles about porn in the library or about library workers grooming young people, the fact of the matter is those individuals are choosing to offload their duties as parents to guide their children in appropriate reading material by demanding the removal of books they don’t like from shelves. For claiming not to coparent with the government, they sure want the government to do the parenting so that they do not need to have tricky conversations with their kids about why they do not want them to read or access certain materials. That is their code of parental rights. What doesn’t fall underneath that is demanding that material be made inaccessible for all people.
This library-themed pride merch celebrates everyone. Yes, let’s acknowledge rainbow capitalism right here, and let’s also accept that emphasizing the importance of LGBTQ+ presence in the library matters. All of these come from small creators, and wearing or sporting these library pride goods helps you identify yourself with the right side of history. As mentioned in the roundup of fantastic stickers celebrating the right to read, engaging in capitalism here is a way to support those who are being directly hurt by ongoing discriminatory legislation, and it’s a way to find and connect with like-minded folks who are pushing back.
I’ve been conscious of including “loud” Pride in the library items, as well as some that are more subtle — we know that being out and proud isn’t a luxury afforded to everyone. You may have very well seen some of these LGBTQ+ library pride goods before, too. Some are just worth resharing again and again.
Remember: these goods will do you well all year long.
Image courtesy of BooktopiaGifts on EtsyThis fantastic shirt features one of the iconic library images–the due date card–filled in with rainbow colored ink. You can grab it in white or black and both look good. $23.
Image courtesy of GoodGoodCat on EtsyYou can grab this design in a number of different options, including a magnet, but I really do think this libraries are for everyone keychain is pretty sharp. . . and directly to the point. $12.
Image courtesy of SprinklesStudio on EtsyCould this “keep libraries free and gay” sticker be any more delightful? $5.
Image courtesy of LibraryMix on EtsySnag one of these downloadable prints and put it up in your book displays and/or on your end caps to remind people that the library belongs to all. $6.
Image courtesy of CozyCompassGifts on EtsyObviously, don’t burn a candle in the library. But if you’re a proud librarian, this candle would be great in your home. (And never fear, catalogers–there’s also a proud cataloger candle!). $24.
Image courtesy of FenrisStudioShop on EtsyYou need gorgeous earrings to complement your library style. These rainbow book earrings will do the trick. $15
Image courtesy of librarycatdesigns on EtsyWhatever your identity, there is a gorgeous library card catalog sticker for you. $5.
Image courtesy of BookishlyUK on EtsyThis is your new tote bag for hauling your library goods. $31.
Image courtesy of BookNinjaDesigns on EtsyThe library is absolutely, positively for ALL. $28.
Image courtesy of angiepea on EtsyIt’s been refreshing to see more and more messages like this on stickers, shirts, totes, and other goods. The fight to protect books isn’t JUST about the books. It’s about institutions of democracy like libraries. You can grab this as a sticker or a magnet beginning at $16.
Image courtesy of MyThirdFavorite on EtsyThe perfect mug DOES exist and it is this one. $26.
Image courtesy of StudioRogueT on EtsyYou know these symbols as representative of the library. Now get to know them as representative of the inclusivity of the library. Grab these pin-back buttons for $2 each.
Image courtesy of VintageNemo on EtsyMaybe this “I love queer literature” button is more your style. $2.
Image courtesy of JazzyDesignsEtsy on EtsyWhat more is there to say other than gorgeous gorgeous gays support their local libraries? This tote is your new summer accessory. $10.
Want more social-justice, Pride-forward goods for your life? Check out these queer tote bags, nonbinary bookish finds, and social justice goods.
English (US) · 