Hours
About the Center
The James C. Hormel LGBTQIA+ Center is the gateway to the Library’s broader collections documenting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual and allies’ history and culture, with a special emphasis on the San Francisco Bay Area.
This lovingly-appointed space—funded 25 years ago by thousands of individuals and anchored by a $500,000 gift from James C. Hormel (1933 – 2021), the first openly gay U.S. ambassador—holds the collective memories and aspirations of our local LGBTQIA+ community. The hand-painted ceiling mural, wood-paneled walls and semi-circular shelves with their 1,000-title sampling of the collection’s 10,000+ books resonate with the collective kindness and attention we as a community give to our queer histories and experiences each and every day.
The Center also collaborates with other library departments and community organizations to sponsor a diverse array of exhibitions and public programs. It is also a resource for families, friends and allies to help support the LGBTQIA+ community.
The Hormel Center Reading Room on the 3rd floor of the Main Library serves as the home-base of the Center and houses a selection of non-circulating books and magazines.
The Center librarians are at the 3rd floor General Collections desk.
Collections
Highlights
- Hormel Center History
- Frameline @ the Library
- Past Exhibits
- Eureka Valley/Harvey Milk Memorial Branch
- Subscribe to the LGBTQIA Center eNewsletter
- View LGBTQIA Center Staff Picks
- Hormel Center on Facebook
Drag Laureate program
Do you embody the spirit and pride of San Francisco's legendary drag culture? Are you a fierce advocate for LGBTQI+ rights? Join the legacy of drag that shapes San Francisco history, and apply to be the next San Francisco Drag Laureate!
