Social Library, Pride Edition
June is recognized as Pride Month and, for libraries, a time to celebrate the authors and writings that reflect the lives, experiences, and contributions of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender communities. With this edition of our Social Library series, we're sharing posts from libraries we follow on Facebook who are highlighting collections and programs as part of Pride Month.
- Halifax Public Libraries in Canada shared this fabulous library rainbow book display for #PrideMonth. What a simple, yet eye-catching way to celebrate!
- NYPL The New York Public Library librarians were live on Facebook with a special #RainbowReading edition of their live reading recommendations for Pride Month. They shared some of their favorite LGBTQ reads for all ages to celebrate. They also shared on Facebook, a wonderful video highlighting the 30 Days of #RainbowReading and their Pride Month events.
- Barrie Public Library in Canada shared Barrie Pride's video, filmed at the library, announcing all the upcoming #BarriePride2017 events, including the library's Drag Queen Storytime. A number of libraries in the US have begun hosting Drag Queen Story Hour and are getting coverage in the press, including in The New York Times and The New Yorker.
- Performing Arts at the Library of Congress shared this photo (by James Wintle) highlighting their Aaron Copland Collection and the items featured in their Pride in the Library exhibit last weekend. The Library of Congress has invited the nation to join in celebrating Pride month with events and resources, including highlights from the library's audio and video collections. In their introduction for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month 2017, they state:
"The Library’s numerous collections contain many books, posters, sound recordings, manuscripts and other material produced by, about and for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community. The contributions of members of the LGBT community are preserved as part of our nation’s history, and include noted artistic works, musical compositions, and contemporary novels. The Library’s American collections range from the iconic poetry of Walt Whitman through the manuscripts of the founder of LGBT activism in Washington, D.C., Frank Kameny.
"The Library’s month-long celebration demonstrates how Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Americans have strengthened our country, by using their talent and creativity to help create awareness and goodwill.
"The legacy of LGBT individuals is being discovered by interested readers and seasoned researchers perusing unparalleled global collections. The acquisition of historic material and the ongoing program of copyright deposits will continue to enrich the Library’s holdings of LGBT materials."
- East Longmeadow Public Library in Massachusetts shared a celebration display of #PRIDE month in their teen area. "We've got plenty of YA books featuring LGBTQIA characters."
- San Francisco Public Library in California shared a post about a Hoopla collection, encouraging patrons to "borrow some great music from LGBTQIA musicians and their supporters."
In learning more about acronyms, we found this Glossary, from the LGBTQIA+ Resource Center at UC-Davis, to be helpful.
Thank you to all these libraries for their great work, and if you'd like to see your library featured in future Social Library editions, please let us know via social@webjunction.org or find us on Facebook.