GLSEN Rainbow Library

GLSEN’s Rainbow Library program makes schools and communities safer and more inclusive for LGBTQ+ youth by providing LGBTQ+ affirming text sets and resources to schools and libraries - for free. 

Purchase books through our Bookshop storefront to benefit our project and help more young people access free LGBTQ+ affirming books! Learn more about our program at www.RainbowLibrary.org and www.GLSEN.org.

“Thank you so much for the incredible books. I am so thrilled that we were chosen for the grant.  I cataloged them on Friday and they were all checked out Monday morning.  We are so appreciative of your generosity.” 

-High School Librarian in Kansas City, Kansas

“After promoting the Rainbow Library I had a group of LGBT students approach me for help about a bullying situation, knowing that I was a trusted adult who would support them.”

-Middle School Librarian in Missouri

"I think it’s a brilliant, brilliant idea. It can literally save a kid’s life."

-Patrick Dunn, Executive Director of the New Haven Pride Center

GLSEN’s Rainbow Library program has sent 58,000 LGBTQ+ affirming K-12 books to over 5,800 schools across the country. Each set contains 10 LGBTQ+ affirming grade-aligned books, as well as posters and supplemental resources.

GLSEN is the leading national organization that advocates for schools to be safe and inclusive for LGBTQ+ students. Founded in 1990, GLSEN’s national network is more than 1.5 million strong, with students, families, educators, and education advocates working together to create safe schools.

Among the 2021-2022 school year Rainbow Library recipients who responded to our end-of-year survey, 

• 95% strongly or somewhat agreed with the statement, “The Rainbow Library made my school or library a safer and more inclusive place for LGBTQ+ young people.”
• 60% responded that because of the Rainbow Library, their school purchased additional copies of LGBTQ+ affirming books.
• 15% reported that Rainbow Library books were incorporated into their school or class curriculum

We're raising funds so the hundreds of schools on our waitlist can receive Rainbow Library sets. Help us achieving this goal by buying books from this Bookshop page or by donating directly at RainbowLibrary.org/donate. Interested in sponsoring GLSEN's Rainbow Library? Email [email protected].

GLSEN is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, and all donations are tax deductible.