Rainbow Lounge Now Open

The University of Texas at Arlington Libraries' newest amenity for students is now open. Through a collaboration between the library and the LGBTQ+ Program, the Rainbow Lounge is a place for LGBTQ+ students to gather and build community. 

Elle Covington, a Multidisciplinary librarian with Research Services, stated that the work of many people made the creation of the Rainbow Lounge possible. The space in a former study room at the UTA Central Library will give queer and trans students a place they can make their own. 

"The Rainbow Lounge is a project that we have been working on with the university's LBGTQ+ program to put together a space in the libraries that specifically focuses on our queer and trans students," Elle said.  

The Rainbow Lounge will not only be a place for students to meet and study, but they will be able to connect with the LGBTQ+ program and the student organization the Pride Peers. 

These groups will host events and meetings and provide mentorship services to students in the space. UTA faculty and staff members will be in that space from time to time to also offer mentorship to students. 

The lounge will also feature a small rotating collection that will highlight UTA Libraries larger Queer Pride collection. This includes books on queer and trans history, queer studies and books written by queer and trans authors.  

The University of Texas at Arlington Libraries would provide the furniture for the Rainbow Lounge, but it would be up to the students to decorate it. During this process, resources at the libraries' FabLab will be used to create signs for the lounge, but anything that might go on the walls will give its look and character. The location of the Rainbow Lounge is on the third floor in room 318.  

Elle is excited to see the lounge move from idea to reality. 

"Hopefully, this space will help them academically if they didn't feel super safe coming into the libraries to do things. So being able to open some of those avenues lets them know they have advocates," Elle said. "It shows at the library that we are not just saying we are a safe and welcoming place, but we have a visual representation and a commitment behind it."