The Need
According to the 2017 GLSEN Washington School Climate survey, just over half of Washington State students say they have access to LGBTQ-related library resources at school.
Just 25% of Washington State 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.
The Plan
Thanks to the leadership of GLSEN Washington, in spring 2021, Rainbow Library Washington will send LGBTQ+ affirming text sets to 120 schools and libraries across Washington State - for free.
Any full-time staff member at a Washington State K-12 school or public library is welcome to request a Rainbow Library. All types of K-12 schools are eligible: district, magnet, charter, and independent.
Each school that applies will be eligible for 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 Washington 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 Washington State School or Library
Sponsor the Rainbow Library Washington
It will cost $20,000 to launch the Rainbow Library Community Reads Project in Washington State in spring 2021. 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 600 books mailed out to participating Washington State 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 Washington, email info@rainbowlibrary.org.
Not interested in becoming a sponsor, but still want to contribute? Click here!
