Quatrefoil Library was founded by Dick Hewetson and David Irwin in 1986. Dick often shares the story of how, early on, David was deeply concerned about people discovering gay materials when they visited. To keep things discreet, Dick suggested they tuck their gay materials in their linen closet. As word spread among their friends, more people began borrowing books, and the idea of creating a volunteer-run LGBTQ+ lending library took shape. Forty years later, we continue to hold space for queer voices and resources, resist censorship, and foster community.
Parking Parking available on and around Lake Street or in the free above ground parking lot behind Spirit on Lake.
Good to Know We are a LGBTQ+ space that embraces all parts of our history and media, which means that we have explicit materials in our space and available for checkout. We are not an 18+ exclusive space, and in fact have collections catered to young people, but there is a strong possibility that folks entering the space will see explicit materials and so I recommend folks be prepared for that possibility. “When we started the Quatrefoil Library, we made a conscious decision that there would be no censorship. We wanted it to be comprehensive no matter who might be offended.” – Dick Hewetson, co-founder