GLBT Book Month™ given new name

CHICAGO –  Formerly known as GLBT Book Month™, the American Library Association (ALA) will now observe the month of June as Rainbow Book Month™, a nationwide celebration of the authors and writings that reflect the lives and experiences of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, pansexual, genderqueer, queer, intersex, agender and asexual community.

Originally established in the early 1990s by The Publishing Triangle as National Lesbian and Gay Book Month, Rainbow Book Month™, provides an opportunity for book lovers and libraries to highlight the very best in LGBTQIA+ literature. Since 2015, the ALA continues to lend support to the month, with activities coordinated through its Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services and Rainbow Round Table (RRT). 

Library professionals are encouraged to take advantage of free resources and tools to support Rainbow Book Month activities and share event photos and information over social platforms under the hashtag #RainbowBookMonth. ALA’s RRT provides resources to support virtual LGBTQIA+ literature programing, author engagement and book discussion groups.

Kayla Kuni, the chair of RRT’s Advocacy and Resources committee said, "I am interested in seeing what kind of virtual programming Rainbow Book Month™ will inspire. My biggest hope is that the wonderful programs, ideas, and conversations that have happened in so many past celebrations still happen, even if they are online.”

The Rainbow Round Table (RRT) is committed to serving the information needs of the LGBTQIA+ professional library community and the LGBTQIA+ information and access needs of individuals at large. The group’s mission is to encourage and support the free and necessary access to all information, as reflected by the mission of the ALA.

American Library Association (ALA) is the foremost national organization providing resources to inspire library and information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. For more than 140 years, ALA has been the trusted voice of libraries, advocating for the profession and the library’s role in enhancing learning and ensuring access to information for all. For more information, visit ala.org.