Mission Statement

Quatrefoil Library is a community center that cultivates the free exchange of ideas and makes accessible LGBTQ+ materials for education and inspiration.

A Brief History

Holding space for queer voices and resources, resisting censorship, and fostering community since 1986.

The Quatrefoil Library was founded by Dick Hewetson and David Irwin. Dick often shares the story of how, early on, David was deeply concerned about people discovering gay materials when they visited. To keep things discreet, Dick suggested they tuck their gay materials in their linen closet. As word spread among their friends, more people began borrowing books, and the idea of creating a formal lending library took shape. In 1983, over brunch with four friends, they brainstormed and started drafting plans to bring the library to life.

The library’s name, Quatrefoil, was inspired by Quatrefoil: A Modern Novel by James Barr, a groundbreaking 1950s novel that was among the first to present gay characters in a positive light, and served as inspiration to David.

Our Locations Over Time

West Broadway Building (1986)

The vision for a lending library became a reality when Matthew Stark, Executive Director of the Minnesota Civil Liberties Union, invited the Quatrefoil Library to become a tenant in MCLU’s new building on West Broadway in North Minneapolis. The library officially opened its doors there on February 4, 1986.

Richards Gordon School (1987)

The library experienced remarkable growth during its first year, quickly outgrowing its original facilities. As a result, it moved to the renovated Richards Gordon School on June 6, 1987, with a collection of over 4,000 volumes and more than 300 periodicals.

Spirit on Lake Building (2013)
A Commitment to Queer Community and Voices

The library’s current location on East Lake Street opened its doors on November 1, 2013, sharing space with Spirit on Lake housing. Today, with over 25,000 LGBTQIA+ resources, the Quatrefoil Library remains dedicated to holding space for queer voices and resources, resisting censorship, and fostering community.

When we started the Quatrefoil Library, we made a conscious decision
that there would be no censorship. We wanted it to be comprehensive
no matter who might be offended.
–Dick Hewetson, co-founder