#National Library Week

[oliviawhen]

It was national library workers day yesterday! Thank you for your work!! 📚

[seeminglydark]

Homeless? Struggling? Bad at reading cuz you’re an undiagnosed dyslexic with head trauma? That’s ok, Sully! The library is for everyone, and full of resources, hope, (and spooky audio books!) to help you on your way.

The story I’m currently working on, Creaky, tells the story of Sully’s homeless years where he struggles to find a place for himself in the world, and he utilizes the public library for so many things, even just a safe space to feel a little less alone and invisible. He’s going to make it out alive not matter what. Punk’s not dead, it’s at the public library! It’s National Library Week and with current events stacked against them, I wanted to make a special piece to honor them.

This one is dedicated to @lesbrarians, my bestie and the person who makes my work come alive with their editing and second looks. With out them, we might not have made it this far.

Now go out and get your library card!

Xoxo RJ

[mouseshouses]

We love the library!

[failgrl]

this is the world when u get a library card. btw

[queerliblib]

We might feel a LITTLE bit strongly about the importance of libraries. Luckily, there’s a week for that!! This is the time to yell about your love for libraries from the rooftops! Tell your friends to get a QLL membership and/or to donate! 

[riesenfeldcenter]

It's National Library Week! Here are some throwback photos of our law library from the 70s and 80s, both from Fraser Hall and the Law School's current building, Mondale Hall.

[bitchesgetriches]

In honor of NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK we've got a new post!

Our libraries have been under attack for years now. Book bans and outright censorship are one thing, but extremists are also attempting to restrict library access for marginalized people; fire highly trained and educated librarians and replace them with untrained ideologues; privatize libraries to turn them into for-profit businesses; and close some libraries altogether, effectively killing community access to all the great services I talked about above.

And with the killdozer that is Project 2025 rampaging through our federal government, things are likely only going to get worse. We know from history that the people trying to ban books and censor diverse viewpoints are never the good guys. So I will just call these most recent attacks on our library system exactly what they are: an attack on our democracy itself.

Megan Phelps Roper, a former member of the Westboro Baptist Church, actually credits trips to her local library with getting her out of the viciously bigoted cult. The resources and librarians she encountered there helped release her from the hateful indoctrination she’d been fed since birth. And if that ain’t proof of concept, I don’t know what is!

The Library Is a Magical Place and You Should Fucking Go There

Video Version 🍋 Audio Version 🍋 Text Version

[patheticblorbloscholar]

This library week fight back against the defunding of our libraries. They are the most important third spaces we have and help so many people. Join the fight today.

[thoughtportal]

ACTION ITEMS FOR NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK 📚 April 6th - 12th marks National Library Week and if we don't defend our libraries, it could be out last. I can not imagine a world without libraries, so here are some action items you can take this week: Easy action items you can take this week-- -Make sure EVERY member of your household has a library card; make sure all your friends and family have one, too -Sign up anyone you know who doesn't have a library card -Check out a book or two from your libraries -Find your local Friends of the Library and find out how you can get involved -Donate to your local library if you can If you have more time-- -Check out who is on your Library Board: are there empty seats that need to be filled? -Call your local, state and federal officials and tell them to PROTECT OUR LIBRARIES --Go to SaveIMLS.org and take action --Write an editorial for your local newspaper highlighting your library's importance in community and community building, supporting intellectual freedom and the grave threat to libraries.

[duckprintspress]

National Library Week Shout-Outs!

I LOVE libraries – and this week, April 6 to 12, is National Library Week, so I’m here to shout-out my favorite libraries.

US-Nation-Wide Libraries: these are libraries that are available, via Libby, to anyone in the United States!

Queer Liberation Library: “Queer Liberation Library (QLL) is fighting to build a vibrant, flourishing queer future by connecting LGBTQ+ people with literature, information, and resources that celebrate the unique and empowering diversity of our community.” I love QLL, it’s so great and filling such a huge need. They’re one of the handful of organizations that Duck Prints Press donates to monthly.

The Japan Foundation Los Angeles Library: “The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles (JFLA) promotes international awareness and mutual understanding between Japan and the U.S. through cultural exchange. We administer a wide range of programs and grants aimed at introducing Japanese arts and culture, supporting Japanese Studies and language education, and promoting publications, translations related to Japan.” Fantastic if you’re studying Japanese or love Japanese culture. They have toooons of manga.

If anyone knows more nation-wide Libby libraries, please do tell, I’d love to find, join, and support more!

New York State Libraries: I live in New York, so the rest of my faves are local. I’m lucky to live in a state where many libraries allow all state residents access at no cost.

Schenectady County Public Library: My local library system! Also accessible to people throughout the Capital Region (Montgomery, Fulton, Schoharie, Hamilton, Saratoga, Warren, Washington, Albany, and Rensselaer counties). I’m there multiple times a month, getting books for myself or my kids. All those queer YA graphic novels y’all see me reading in my weekly and monthly round-ups? Borrowed from the SCPL.

New York Public Library: I grew up going to my local branch of the NYPL in New York City. Now, I’m still able to access their collections, as can anyone who lives in New York State. They have a huge, amazing collection, and it’s absolutely worth the effort of getting a card if you’re able.

Brooklyn Public Library: I have been so so so impressed by their selection of queer books and graphic novels since I got a card for their Libby. The size of their collection is comparable to NYPL, and they’re also free throughout the state. Absolutely worth it. They also have very high loan and hold limits, and as a result of that and their huge collection of queer manga, they have become my most-used Libby library.

Buffalo and Erie County Public Library: My newest library! I haven’t gotten to use them much yet, but they have an interesting and varied collection that I’m looking forward to digging into once I get through some of the copious number of BL manga volumes I borrowed from BPL.

Other…

The Lilly Library: I have to shout out the Lilly, a rare book library at Indiana University at Bloomington. I studied library science at IU, and earned my MLS, and I took multiple classes at the Lilly and interned and worked at their conservation lab during my two years there. The professor who taught those classes now runs the library, so even though I haven’t been there for a long long time, I’m absolutely positive it’s still a wonderful place totally worth a visit if you get the chance. They’ll bring out any of their huge, varied collection that you ask to see, and they do regular exhibits of rare books from the collection.

What are your favorite libraries? Please do tell!

consider yourself tagged! reblog and tell me your favorite libraries, and I'll share those too!

[oliviawhen]

Happy National Library Week!! A great time to ask everyone you know if they have a library card.

[rockislandadultreads]

Happy National Library Week!

Celebrate National Library Week with us by learning more about the history of libraries!

The Library: A Fragile History by Andrew Pettegree & Arthur der Weduwen

Famed across the known world, jealously guarded by private collectors, built up over centuries, destroyed in a single day, ornamented with gold leaf and frescoes or filled with bean bags and children's drawings - the history of the library is rich, varied, and stuffed full of incident. In this volume, Andrew Pettegree and Arthur der Weduwen explore the contested and dramatic history of the library, from the famous collections of the ancient world to the embattled public resources we cherish today. 

Freedom Libraries by Mike Selby

As the Civil Rights Movement exploded across the United States, public libraries were not immune from racial segregation. Numerous libraries were desegregated on paper only: there would be no cards given to African-Americans, no books for them to read, and no furniture for them to use. It was these exact conditions that helped create Freedom Libraries. This book delves into how these libraries were the heart of the Civil Rights Movement, as well as the remarkable courage of the people who used them.  

Syria's Secret Library by Mike Thomson

Daraya lies on the fringe of Damascus, just southwest of the Syrian capital. Besieged by government forces early in the Syrian Civil War, its people were deprived of food, bombarded by heavy artillery, and under the constant fire of snipers. But deep beneath this scene of frightening devastation lay a hidden library. The story of this extraordinary place and the people who found purpose and refuge in it is one of hope, human resilience, and above all, the timeless, universal love of literature.

Burning the Books by Richard Ovenden

Libraries and archives have been attacked since ancient times, but have been especially threatened in the modern era. Today the knowledge they safeguard faces purposeful destruction and willful neglect; deprived of funding, libraries are fighting for their very existence. More than simply repositories for knowledge, libraries and archives inspire and inform citizens. This book recounts the history that brought us to this point.

[rosiewalks]

Having fun isn't hard...

...when you've got a library card!

Go to the library! It's a wonderful, pro-social place full of free (or very nearly free) things. Most people know about the books, of course -- all but one of the 20 books I've read so far this year have been from the library.

But there's also computers! and 3D printers! and toys for checkout, and magazines, and online access to databases, and movies, and museum passes, narcan if you're the central denver library, and much more!

Not to mention community spaces: for tutoring, studying, board game nights, story time, crafts, tax help...

And my very favorite feature: if your library doesn't have a book/audiobook/movie/cd that you want, they can buy it for you! I've "suggested" close to a dozen purchases over the years, and none of them have been denied. Sometimes it takes a while to fill, sure, but that's okay. As my spouse, erstwhile librarian, put it: They're always buying books anyway, they might as well buy one that someone wants.

Photos with baby Poppy in my actual library stacks.

Poppy is a dyed Jr High Poppy Rowan. Hair by Mia over on youtube/ig as DarlingsDollhouse, freckles and lips by me. She's wearing an RH top, OMG boy jeans, and RH shoes.

[sswslitinmotion]

April 6-12, 2025, is National Library Week. Check the link for the suggestions and events per the American Library Association.

Contact congressional reps to protect federal funds for libraries, especially as the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is in serious trouble. -- ssw15.

[californiastatelibrary]

Today kicks of National Library Week! What draws people to the library? Everything! From books and digital resources to job assistance and creative programming, libraries are essential to thriving communities.

National Library Week, April 6–12, 2025, is a time to celebrate the many ways libraries bring people together, spark imagination, and support lifelong learning.

[queerliblib]

The American Library Association released their list of top 10 most banned books of 2024, and anyone who’s been following book bans for the past few years will not be surprised! Here are the queer titles on the list, which QLL has in our collection. All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson, Gender Queer by @redgoldsparks, and Flamer by Mike Curato. Have you read any of them? 

read ALA’s report

donate! to support our work, and help us buy more copies of these (& other!) queer books