Lesch Lending Library
The Lesch Lending Library offers a robust collection of materials, including fiction, non-fiction, children’s and young adult books, films and more. This collection provides a space for learning, reflection and connection through bold stories and voices that represent a wide range of experiences. We are proud to keep these materials available to readers of all ages.
Please stop by to register for your free library account today. University of Kentucky students, faculty, and staff may use their UK ID. Community members can also register for an account with valid photo identification and phone number.
Online Catalog
Using our Online Patron Access Catalog (OPAC) on Librarika, users can search titles by Author, Category, Publication Date, and more!
Browse Our Shelves
Location
LGBTQ* Resource Center
Hours of Operation
Weekdays 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Closed on weekends
Meet Mel
Dr. Mel Lesch was a compassionate person who fiercely advocated for LGBTQ* students to exist and thrive freely at the University of Kentucky. They were among the first students to advocate for the formal representation of LGBTQ* student voices on campus. Their efforts lead to the creation of OutSource–the University's first LGBTQ* outreach center. They then became the first graduate assistant for the Office of LGBTQ* Resources while completing their PhD in Gender and Women’s Studies. During their time here, they helped cultivate the Audre Lorde Living Learning Program on campus in 2019. Beyond their tangible work, they brightened up a room with their light, positivity, and laughter. Many close friends describe them as, “Human Sunshine”.
As Mel was known to be an avid reader, their closest friends and family each received a book from their personal library upon their passing in 2020. This sparked the idea to memorialize the love they had both for reading and for their uplifting community through this curated library.
