library t shirts
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Top-Notch T-Shirts to Celebrate Libraries

This is just in time for us to don our new, library-celebrating t-shirt while we fight for libraries.

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Let us take a moment and enjoy some library T-shirts, shall we? There are plenty of reasons to be looking for one to add to your wardrobe. April 6th kicks off National Library Week, while the entire month of April is National School Library Month. This is cause for celebration! There is also the fact that the president recently signed an executive order dismantling several small federal agencies. Among them is the IMLS, or Institue of Museum and Library Services, the only federal agency dedicated to funding library services. This is cause for concern!

Will wearing library T-shirts help you thank the librarians in your cities and schools? Will it help secure federal support that is desperately needed? Well, no. But if you want to look cute while checking out books, shopping at the book fair, contacting your lawmakers, and protesting, a new T-shirt might be the ticket. 

coffee-colored short sleeve, oversized t-shirt with white, spidery font reading "Support Your Library"
image by Wonder 9 Designs via Etsy

Starting off strong with a badass vibe that reminds us that library patrons run the gamut. Death Metal Print Support Your Local Library, $33+

White, slim-fit crop top with rainbow font that reads "everyone belongs at the library."
image by Angie Pea via Etsy

I love the font, I love the colors, but I love the message. This shop has a ton of gorgeous shirts that celebrate libraries and many more worthy causes. Everyone Belongs At The Library T-shirt, $33+

ivory short sleeve tshirt with a vintage image of a knight on a horse and text reading Defend the Public Library
image by Cancel Empires via Etsy

The vintage book illustration in this design really sold me. Defend the Public Library Knight T-shirt, $32+

moss-colored t-shirt with white font that reads library is my jam over images of jam jars labeled with aspects of professional librarianism
image by Now Gift via Etsy

I was tickled by this design, which features so many aspects of a librarian’s career focus. I would definitely gift this to a librarian I love. It might be me. Library Is My Jam T-shirt, $28+

a pink t-shirt with an image of the cartoon character arthur on a library card and rainbow font that reads "having fun isn't hard when you've got a library card."
image by EmmanuelAdugyamfiCa via Etsy

A classic for a reason, this Arthur-themed slogan is needed now more than ever. Having Fun Isn’t Hard Arthur T-shirt, $10+

a boxy, dark blue tank top with an image of an open book, flowers, and moths and text that reads "support and protect public libraries"
image by AddiBett Designs via Etsy

It’s warming up, and I had to add a tank. I love the moths and flowers. Support and Protect Public Libraries Floral and Moth Tank, $28+

a white t-shirt with a simple, black, retro-inspired design including the words "support your local library" and smiley faces
image by The Bookish Print via Etsy

This refreshingly simple retro design brought a smile to my face. Support Your Local Library T-shirt, $25

image of a man wearing a forest green t-shirt with a drawn image of a cartoon card catalog and white text reading "#neverforget"
image of Sprinkles Studio via Etsy

This shirt is brought to you by the 15 minutes I recently spent trying to describe a card catalog’s purpose to my students. Never forget! Never Forget Card Catalog T-shirt, $25+

white shirt with a book trolley and the text "this is how I roll"
image by Delicious Accessories via Etsy

More library nostalgia reporting for duty! This book trolley pun will brighten any library lover’s day. This Is How I Roll T-shirt, $18+

white thank with an image of an open book with a rainbow and text that reads "books save lives, stop book bans, protect libraries"
image by Addibett Designs via Etsy

Ending on a strong note, we can’t forget one of the main reasons we need to support libraries: books save lives. No two ways about it. Books Save Lives Tank, $28+

Hopefully, you’ve found some library T-shirts that will brighten your day or strengthen your resolve. Looking for more great library gear? Check out this list of gifts for punk-ass book jockeys. Happy shopping, and support your local library!