<
https://lithub.com/explore-a-rare-collection-of-lgbtq-childrens-books-dating-back-to-1969/>
"The Mechanics’ Institute, one of the oldest cultural institutions on the West
Coast, is now home to a thrilling archive of LGBTQ+ children’s literature.
The Tarpey–Schwed LGBT Families Children’s Book Special Collection features
more than 200 queer-friendly kids’ books published between 1969 and 2023.
Titles like
Heather Has Two Mommies and
Lucy Goes to the Country show the
evolution of queer representation in children’s literature over five decades,
offering a rare opportunity for families and researchers alike.
I spoke with Myles Cooper, an archivist and library manager of the Mechanics’
Institute, about the acquisition’s significance. He told me the collection was
donated at the end of 2025 by Randall Tarpey-Schwed, a well-respected collector
and something of a tastemaker in the world of California letters.
A gay parent himself, Tarpey-Schwed started collecting the books to read to his
own children.
Once his daughters were grown, Tarpey-Schwed sought a home for the archive. As
a member-supported non-profit with deep roots in the state, the Institute felt
like a natural fit.
And the feeling was mutual. Noting that San Francisco is home to a number of
“wonderful historical archives and libraries” centering the queer experience,
Cooper said that few resources have
this focus."
Via ResearchBuzz and Susan ****
Share and enjoy,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
