The Need
According to the 2017 GLSEN Kansas School Climate survey, just over half of Kansas students say they have access to LGBTQ-related library resources at school.
Just 17% of Kansas students say they were taught positive representations of LGBTQ people, history, or events at school. A collection of texts that positively represent LGBTQ+ characters and historical figures is critical for any school to be an inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ students and those with LGBTQ+ family members.
Overview
Thanks to the leadership of the GLSEN Kansas and GLSEN Kansas City, Rainbow Library Kansas has sent LGBTQ+ affirming text sets to over 150 schools and libraries across Kansas - for free.
Each school that applied received one Rainbow Library set, which contains 10 LGBTQ+ affirming grade-aligned books, as well as posters and supplemental resources. School-aged readers are encouraged to submit Rainbow Reader Reviews about Rainbow Library books through the Rainbow Library website.
At the Kansas Rainbow Reader Summit, youth, families, librarians, and school staff will virtually come together from across the state to hear from an author of an LGBTQ affirming book, get to know area LGBTQ organizations, and win prizes. Readers who had submitted top-quality Rainbow Reader Reviews about Rainbow Library books in advance of the event are recognized with awards at the event.
Request a Rainbow Library for Your Kansas School or Library
Find a Kansas LGBTQ+ Community Center
LGBTQ+ Community Centers offer programming for LGBTQ+ youth, such as group meetups, Queer Prom, volunteer opportunities, and LGBTQ+ focused scholarships. Many Centers have virtual programming during COVID-19 closures.
LGBTQ+ Community Centers
The Center of Wichita
800 N Market St.
Wichita, KS 67214
(316) 285-0007
Kansas City Center for Inclusion
3911 Main Street
Kansas City, Missouri 64111
816-753-7770
Additional Kansas LGBTQ+ Organizations/Resources
Project Q&A - Southeast Kansas
Kansas State University LGBTQ Resource Center
Sponsor the Rainbow Library Kansas
It will cost $20,000 to launch the Rainbow Library Community Reads Project in Kansas in fall 2020. The Rainbow Library is entirely volunteer-driven, so all funds are directed toward the program’s costs.
Rainbow Library sponsors will be recognized behind the covers of all 1,200 books mailed out to participating Kansas schools and libraries. Sponsors will also be listed on the Rainbow Library posters that come with the collections, and on this website.
Sponsorship levels are as follows:
Platinum Sponsor - $8,000 and up
Gold Sponsor - $5,000 and up
Silver Sponsor - $3,000 and up
Bronze Sponsor - $1,500 and up
To learn more about becoming a sponsor for the Rainbow Library Kansas, email info@rainbowlibrary.org.