The UW Q Center’s Marsha P. Johnson Memorial Library is a community library with over 1000 items. Our library is named after Marsha P. Johnson, a black trans woman and activist from New York City. She was instrumental in the Stonewall Riots and a staunch advocate for homeless queer youth. Marsha was murdered in 1992, but her legacy lives on.
From classic literature to funky zines, we’re bringing queer history, culture, and creativity to the UW community. Our collection covers a wide range of diverse topics and perspectives through the lens of queerness, and it is the only collection of its kind on campus.
After extensive reorganization following the pandemic, we reopened the collection to the public in November of 2024. Our catalog is available to view online through our library management software, Librarika.
Frequently Asked Questions
During the 2023-2024 academic year, we made big improvements to the library, from rearranging furniture to curating the collection. One of our most impactful changes was the implementation of a new classification system: Pan Eros-Q Center Classification (PEQCC).
In libraries, a classification system organizes the collection so patrons and librarians alike can locate the items they need. A familiar example of a classification system might be the Dewey Decimal system that’s used in most public and school libraries, or Library of Congress Classification which you’ll find in academic libraries like UW’s. These systems are vast and complex, but they often fall short of adequately representing marginalized groups – including the queer community.
PEQCC is a new and unique classification system designed by queer library professionals for queer collections. It was derived from the Pan Eros Classification System, designed by UW MLIS graduate Bellamy Jacobs, and was painstakingly reconstructed to meet the needs of the Q Center’s collection by our student staff librarian, Lexi Santiago (served 2023-present). This essential work means that our patrons can see themselves represented with care and respect for years to come.
We don’t have physical library cards (yet), but you can apply for a library account in person at our front desk or here on our website.
Yes you can!
Books check out for 21 days (3 weeks). Reference items cannot be checked out.
Patrons can check out up to 5 items.
All items can be renewed up to 2 times. Renewals have to be done in person at the Q Center.
We’re not allowing holds at this time due to space and staffing constraints. Please do not place holds through your Librarika account!
We are not offering eBooks or audiobooks at this time due to budget constraints.
Zines are part of our reference collection. Reference items are only to be used on-site inside the library. Items in our reference collection are rare and/or fragile and are kept in the library to help preserve them for years to come.
To protect patron privacy and prevent fraudulent account use, we need to verify your identity every time you check out an item from the library. If and when the library begins to use physical library cards, we may be able to relax this requirement.
Queer Liberation Library
The Queer Liberation Library is a free digital library for queer media.
“Queer Liberation Library fights to build a vibrant, flourishing queer future by connecting LGBTQ+ people with literature, information, and resources that celebrate the unique and empowering diversity of our community.”
UW Libraries: Gender, Women & Sexuality Studies Research Guide
“Sexuality & Queer Studies includes but is not limited to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender themes. This guide provides links to the most useful databases and resources for researching topics in these broad domains.”
UW Libraries: LGBTQ History Research Guide
“A research guide to primary and secondary sources for LGBTQ history.”
Meet the Librarian
Erica Owan (they/she)
2nd Year Master of Libraries Information Sciences
Favorite Book: On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong
Fun Fact: I love book processing materials!
Hours: Wed 12-1pm & 4-5pm, Thursday 2:30-4pm
The library is managed by our student staff librarian, Erica Owan. The librarian can assist with any library needs like: account questions and sign-ups, navigating the collection, answering research questions, and much more. Patrons can reach out anytime at qcenterlibraryuw@gmail.com.
Press Coverage
