qrlib.net

Basic Introduction

Queer Reads Library (Chinese name: 流動閱酷) is a grassroots queer-themed mobile cultural project launched in Hong Kong, China in 2018. It is currently operated by volunteers across two locations: Hong Kong and Vancouver, Canada. Its official website qrlib.net serves as an online catalog platform for the project's reading collection. The project originated after Hong Kong Public Libraries removed LGBTQ-themed books from its shelves, and its core goal is to build a connecting space for cross-regional Asian queer communities and preserve queer print cultural historical materials.

Core Features & Pricing

The core function of this website is to host the public catalog of queer-themed books and independently published zines collected and organized by the project. It allows users to filter and search for resources by multiple dimensions including title, author, publication year, and publication region. It also provides access to project updates, a queer dictionary, and information about partner organizations.
This is a non-profit project run entirely by volunteers. All online services are completely free. The project itself does not sell publications; it only shares its physical collection with readers during offline events, with no charging involved at all.

Pros and Cons

Pros: This project fills the gap of a public archive for queer independent publishing culture in Asia. It houses a large collection of niche queer publishing resources from Hong Kong and other Asian regions, which is highly valuable for academic research and sorting out community culture. It is run entirely by volunteers, with no commercial interference in content; it supports both Chinese and English, and has clear, searchable categorization.
Cons: The website only provides catalog indexing. It does not offer online reading or physical borrowing, so its practical online value is limited. Non-profit operation also leads to unstable content updates. The website has a lot of redundant content that causes repeated loading, resulting in a mediocre browsing experience.

Suitable Audience & Accessibility

This website is suitable for gender studies scholars, queer culture enthusiasts, independent publishing practitioners, and the LGBTQIA+ community. Access to the website from mainland China is unstable, and a proxy is required for normal access in most cases.