June is Pride Month for the LGBTQ community.  From the Library of Congress:

“Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month is currently celebrated each year in the month of June to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan. The Stonewall Uprising was a tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States…The purpose of the commemorative month is to recognize the impact that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals have had on history locally, nationally, and internationally.”

The American Library Association (ALA) designates June GLBT Book Month™, “a nationwide celebration of the authors and writings that reflect the lives and experiences of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community.”

The CU library has a book display up celebrating those writings, this year especially highlighting books for children and teens, and books about making schools safe for LGBTQ young people.

And, since you clicked to “learn more,” here’s a valuable resource:

The Complete Guide to Queer Pride Flags by Ariel Sobel

And for some recommendations for Pride Month reading beyond the display in the library:

50 Unapologetically Queer Authors Share the Best LGBTQ Books of All Time
(a gallery)

157 Titles to Celebrate the Trans and Gender Non-Conforming Literary Landscape

From ALA:

• Stonewall Book Awards – The first and longest-enduring award for GLBT literature
• Rainbow Books – for Kids and Teens
• Over the Rainbow Books – for Adult Readers

If you see books on these lists that are not in the CU library’s holdings, let us know and we will consider purchasing your suggested title.  Send suggestions to reference@castleton.edu.

Castleton is participating in the Passport to Vermont Libraries program again this year.  Sponsored by the Vermont Library Association and the Vermont Department of Libraries, this program, in its 4th year, is about encouraging people to visit and enjoy all of Vermont’s libraries.

From June 1 to September 1, Vermont’s public and academic libraries will be handing out passports, encouraging Vermonters and visitors alike to visit some of Vermont’s unique, beautiful, and creative libraries:

• The Hitchcock Memorial Library in Westfield has a natural history collection including shells, rocks, artifacts and a taxidermied two headed calf.
• See the shoes found in the wall of the Morristown  Centennial Library.
• Learn about the Merci Trains which sent gifts to America from France after WWII, one of which is in the Chelsea Public Library.

Local libraries will stamp your passport and some offer small prizes. Four patrons statewide (adult, young adult, child and one wild card) will receive Vermont Library Ambassador awards for visiting the most libraries.  Patrons are encouraged to post pictures and stories on the VLA Facebook page  https://facebook.com/vermontpassport

More details about the program are available at  https://vermontlibraries.org/passport

Pick up a passport, or get yours stamped (and pick up a small prize), at the circulation desk.

Explore, celebrate and enjoy our great public institutions this summer!