Michael C. Weidemann LGBTQ Library

The library is open in our new space at 400 E. Pine St. #100, Seattle, WA 98122.
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LGBTQ+ library on a sunny day

The Michael C. Weidemann LGBTQ Library is the large selection of books located in our main space at the LGBTQ+ Center. It’s a cozy, plant-filled space that’s open to the public during our regular building hours. Checking out a book is completely free!

Our librarian and volunteers are available to answer resource questions and help you identify a great book to read.

Library Catalog

Checking Out a Book

We welcome all of our LGBTQ+ community and allies to visit Gay City and check out books, CDs and DVDs.

Please present your state ID or state drivers’ license to have a library advocate create your account and check out an item.

Donate a Book

The Michael C. Weidemann Library is currently accepting book donations on a limited basis. Our collection development reflects our mission as an organization and centers Queer People of the Global Majority (Black, Indigenous People of Color). As such, we are accepting the following book donations: 

  •  Books written by Queer People of the Global Majority in all genres.
  •  Books from the following genres as they pertain to the Queer Community:
    • Activism
    • Coming Out
    • Disability
    • Gender Studies
    • Health
    • Law/Political Science
    • Children’s Books
    • Race, Class, and Ethnicity
    • Recovery
    • Relationships
    • Sexuality
    • Sports and Fitness
    • Transgender/Gender Non-conforming/ Non-Binary
    • Young Adult

We do NOT accept: 

  • Smut, pornography, graphic novels that depict sexual acts, comics, magazines, periodicals, personal journals, or ephemera.  
  • Books published before the year 1990. 

Books that are NOT deemed appropriate for our collection will be donated to Books for Prisoners.

Are Book Donations Tax-Deductible?

Your book donation may be tax-deductible. We recommend contacting tax consultant for details.

To receive a tax-deductible receipt, please speak with the library advocate and complete any necessary forms. Receipts will be sent to you immediately after your form is processed.

About the Michael C. Weidemann LGBTQ Library

In 2009, Gay City began housing and staffing the LGBT Lending Library after the closing of the Seattle LGBT Community Center.

Since then, the Michael C. Weidemann LGBTQ Library at Seattle’s LGBTQ+ Center (Gay City) has grown to thousands of titles that cover a wide range of LGBTQ topics, from travel to queer and trans-focused visibility. Before moving to our new space in 2022, the library contained over 9,000 titles. 

 

Library Wish List

About the Wish List

The Wish List is a collection of books selected by our staff that we think would make excellent additions to the Library. It’s updated as books are donated, so rest assured that the title you’d like to contribute is still needed! To have a title removed from the list while you’re purchasing or sourcing the book, please email us. Thanks so much for your support!

Where to Source Books

If you’d like to donate a book that you don’t already have to our LGBTQ+ Library, here are some great local book stores where you may be able to source these titles: