The Pride Collection
Pride Collection Recent Additions
About the Collection
The Pride Collection highlights books and movies of special interest to people in Toronto's Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, bisexual, Trans, Queer + (2SLGBTQ+) communities. While there are 2SLGBTQ+ materials available at every branch in the city, the most complete collection is held at the Yorkville branch.
The Pride Collection contains fiction and nonfiction about the culture, history and life experience of 2SLGBTQ+ communities.
Topics include:
- Civil liberties
- Gender identity
- Gender studies and Queer theory
- Arts
- Health
Formats
Formats include books and DVDs. All materials are in English.
Location
Yorkville
22 Yorkville Avenue, near Yonge Street
416-393-7660
2SLGBTQ+ materials can also be found at library branches across the city.
Reading Lists
Adults
- 2SLGBTQ+ Staff Picks A list of some recent and notable 2SLGBTQ+ books for adults.
- Book Club Sets to Go - 2SLGBTQ+ A list of 2SLGBTQ+ titles the library has as a Book Club Set to Go at the Yorkville Branch.
- HIV/AIDS - Books for World AIDS Day Books about the history and ongoing presence of HIV/AIDS and its profound impact, particularly on the 2SLGBTQ+ communities.
- LAMBDA Award Winners The Lammys celebrate the very best in 2SLGBTQ+ literature.
Children and parents
- Gender-Affirming Parenting Resources Books for parents who are raising a trans, non-binary, questioning or gender-creative child.
- Reading with Pride Find stories for children of all ages that feature 2SLGBTQ+ families.
Teens
- Full Spectrum: Young Adult 2SLGBTQ+ Reads Books for teens that reflect the diversity of 2SLGBTQ+ experiences.
- Gender Explorers: Beyond the Binary The books on this list explore a wide variety of diverse gender identities and expressions.
- Manga & Anime with 2SLGBTQ+ Characters Highlights from our manga and anime collection with titles that feature 2SLGBTQ+ characters.
En français
- Familles 2SLGBTQ+ Des livres jeunesse qui explorent la genre et mettent des familles 2SLGBTQ+ en vedette.
- Livres 2SLGBTQ+ pour les ados Des livres ados qui soulignent les auteurs.es.x et histoires 2SLGBTQ+.
- Fierté Une liste de livres 2SLGBTQ+ récents pour les adultes.
History
February-March 1990 - Shawn Venasse, publisher and editor of Out Magazine, wrote to TPL's Chief Librarian Les Fowlie, expressing concern about the lack of a gay and lesbian library or collection at TPL. Following Venasse's presentation to the City of Toronto Library Board on March 14, 1990, the Board asked staff to investigate establishing a collection.
October 1990-May 1991 - The library's Adult Services Coordinator, Bruce Worden, prepared a proposal to establish a Gay/Lesbian collection. A final report presented by Linda Steinberg, Branch Head of the Northern District Branch, was accepted by Library management. Adult Collections Librarian Tom Jordan oversaw development of the collection. In May 1991, an initial collection of 600+ titles debuted at the branch in time for Toronto's first officially recognized Gay Pride Day.
June 1996 - On the recommendation of Norm Kester, founder of advocacy group the Lavender Librarians, and TPL librarian Bill Vrantsidis, the collection was moved to Yorkville Branch where it is currently housed.
June 2019 - In June 2019, in consultation with the Pride Alliance, an employee-run resource group, the name was changed from the LGBT Collection to The Pride Collection. The name change coincides with the 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising, the pivotal event of the modern 2SLGBTQ+ rights movement.
As of 2026, the Pride Collection is the largest circulating 2SLGBTQ+ collection in Canada, featuring some 4,500 adult, teen and children's titles in multiple formats. A dedicated team of Adult, Teen and Children's selectors maintains and develops the collection.