Quatrefoil Library

Quatrefoil Library is a member-supported, non-profit (501 (c)(3)[1] library for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender community. The library was founded by David Irwin and Dick Hewetson in 1983,[2] becoming the second LGBT lending library in the nation.[3] In the beginning, it was not only an educational resource center but also a safe space for the LGBT community in Minneapolis. Quatrefoil is located at 1220 East Lake Street in Minneapolis, Minnesota.[4] The library houses over 14,000 books along with DVDs and books in Braille.[2]

The library will be celebrating its 30th Anniversary in 2016.[5][6]

Early history

The doors of the library officially opened to the public on February 4, 1986. It opened with a significant donation from the collections of David Irwin but afterwards received donations from individuals across the country. Quatrefoil Library shared space with the Minnesota Civil Liberties Union at 1021 W. Broadway in Minneapolis.[7] Sixteen months after its opening, the library moved to a bigger building to accommodate the growing collection.[8] Early volunteers and supporters include Jean Nokolaus Tretter of the Tretter Center Tim Campbell who provided ad space in his publication and George Holdgrafer of Lavender magazine. The library published a newsletter, The Gay Bookworm later christened Quatrefolio.

The library took its name from the novel Quatrefoil: A Modern Novel by James Barr.[9] Founding member, David Irwin, had been so impressed with the positive portrayal of homosexuality, that he insisted on naming their collection the Quatrefoil Library.[10]

Mission statement

The mission of the Quatrefoil Library is to collect, maintain, document and circulate gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer materials and information in a safe and accessible space.[11]

Collections

The library's collection includes lesbian periodicals, documentary, gay themed poster, pulp novels and fiction. As at 2007, the volume of the collection included over 14,000 books, 1,040 DVDs, 2,123 VHS videotapes, 500 periodicals and 1,550 pulp novels.[8]

Conferences

Quatrefoil collaborated with the University of Minnesota Libraries and the Tretter Collection in GLBT Studies to host the first international conference on LGBT Archives, Libraries, Museums, and Special Collections in Minneapolis.[12]

References

  1. ↑ "Charity Search Results: Quatrefoil Library". The Office of Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson.
  2. 1 2 Keim 2008, p. viii.
  3. ↑ Van Cleve 2012, p. 216.
  4. ↑ "Quatrefoil: Gay/Lesbian Library". Library Journal. 119: 25. 1986. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  5. ↑ Frame, Robert (2016). "In and Out: Thirty Years At the Quatrefoil Library". Hennepin History. 75 (2): 12.
  6. ↑ Sturdevant, A. (April 17, 2014). "LGBT history is lovingly preserved at quatrefoil library on lake street. MinnPost.Com". MinnPost.
  7. ↑ "Twin Cities Gaze". Twin Cities Gaze. February 1986.
  8. 1 2 Keim 2008, p. 18.
  9. ↑ Barr, James (1950). Quatrefoil. 1950: Greenberg Press. OCLC 542667.
  10. ↑ Keim 2008, p. 7.
  11. ↑ "Quatrefoil website". Retrieved June 18, 2016.
  12. ↑ Greenblatt, Ellen (2011). Serving LGBTIQ Library and Archives Users: Essays on Outreach, Service ... Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, Inc.,. p. 147. ISBN 9780786448944.

Sources

External links

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