We love our school librarians. They’re doing one of the most important jobs on the planet right now: connecting kids with stories. Science tells us that kids who read are better at building resilience, empathy, and a strong vocabulary. And in a world that needs more strong, brave, kind voices, librarians are leading the charge. That’s why a librarian deserves to get gifts that are extra special.
Looking to show a librarian how much they mean to you? We’ve put together a list of gifts to get your (and their) pages turning. Sure, you could get them a book … but they’ve probably already read it. Treat your favorite librarian to one of our gifts that range from practical to decorative and from cozy to chic. They deserve it!
Quick tip: Check your school’s gift policy before giving; some prohibit homemade treats and/or gifts over a certain monetary value.
(WeAreTeachers may collect a share of sales from the links on this page. We only recommend items our team loves!)
1. Thank-you note
Appropriately, there is no quicker way to a librarian’s heart than reading a heartfelt note. For an added touch, use these beautiful Bibliophile note cards that come with 20 different stack selections to choose from.
Buy it: Bibliophile Notes at Amazon
2. Amazon eGift card or other gift card
Gift cards are the best way to ensure that librarians really get what they want. (Plus, Amazon eGift cards are super easy and give the option to send a thank-you note via email right away!)
Buy it: Amazon e-Gift Card at Amazon; Target Gift Card at Target; Support your local bookstore with a gift card
3. Reading valet
You know that feeling when you find something and think, “Huh. I didn’t realize I needed one of those until I saw it.” That’s how we all feel encountering our first reading valet. This beautiful design has a cupholder and a groove for glasses in addition to the triangular page-keeper.
Buy it: Book Nook Reading Valet at Uncommon Goods
4. Book light
For the librarian who’s been telling themselves for the last 45 minutes “Just one more chapter …,” this model is light, not too bright, and will happily enable any book addict’s nighttime reading habits.
Buy it: Rechargeable Book Light at Amazon
5. Super-soft blanket
Librarians are blanket people. Librarians are also chenille people. I do not make the rules. (This one’s machine washable and comes with nearly a thousand five-star reviews.)
Buy it: Chenille blanket at Amazon
6. This tote bag from Loyalty Bookstore in Washington, D.C.
Not only do we love this gorgeous print, but Loyalty Bookstores out of D.C. is a fantastic independent bookstore to support. Founded by Hannah Oliver Depp, a Black and Queer bookseller, Loyalty is a treasured independent bookstore in the mid-Atlantic area.
Buy it: Tote bag at Loyalty Bookstores
7. This hand-embroidered bookmark
This bookmark is destined to become a favorite. With tons of fabric and design choices, you can customize yours to your exact liking.
Buy it: Embroidered bookmark at Etsy
8. A colorful leather bookmark
Embroidery not your jam? These sleek leather bookmarks are beautiful, colorful, and have a monogram option for when you absent-mindedly leave your book in a cafe. And let’s be honest: Nothing says “librarian gifts” quite like bookmarks.
Buy it: Leather bookmark at Etsy
9. Ex Libris necklace
Ex libris is Latin for “from the books of” or “from the library of.” It’s often used as an inscription on a book plate to show the book’s owner. This necklace signifies the beauty of book ownership and how books stay with us, even if they get permanently borrowed.
Buy it: Ex Libris necklace at Out of Print
10. Literary tattoos
These temporary literature tattoos are a fun way to show off a book you love without committing to lifelong permanence. Litographs has seven other tattoo sets from classic and contemporary literature. Little Prince ink? Sign us up!
Buy it: Walden tattoos at Litographs
11. This comfy and accurate sweatshirt
We hunted through a lot of banned books attire to find this gem. And we’re glad we did.
Buy it: Sweatshirt at Etsy
12. Book club candle
With warm and spicy notes like sandalwood, amber, and orange, it’s no wonder this cozy candle is one of the Homesick brand’s most popular buys.
Buy it: Scented candle at Amazon
13. Raven art print from Native artist Chholing Taha
Looking for gifts for a librarian who loves art almost as much as books? Birchbark Books out of Minneapolis, Minnesota, is a treasured institution in their community and beyond. An independent, Indigenous-owned bookstore, Birchbark carries an amazing selection of books, Native arts, and gifts that inspire literal pilgrimages from across the country and world. This beautiful print by Native artist Chholing Taha feels like it floated out of a story.
Buy it: Dancing in the Moonlight print at Birchbark Native Arts
14. Yummy snacks (that won’t leave residue on book pages)
Snacks for readers can be tricky, but not with this assortment from Cravebox! Whether they’re in the middle of a good book or taking a snack break from restacking shelves, any librarian will look forward to these tasty treats.
Buy it: Gourmet snack box at Amazon
15. Fun acrylic bookends
We love these simple, modern bookends from Etsy. Get two of a kind, or mix and match to your heart’s content.
Buy it: Acrylic bookends at Etsy
16. Pretty floating bookshelves
No reader can ever have enough shelves. With these functional and beautiful floating shelves, librarians arrange their books, plants, or picture frames in an ultra-stylish way.
Buy it: Bookshelves at Etsy
17. Read More Books art print
This art print is the perfect combo of classic and contemporary, and with a message all librarians can get behind. Society6 has an assortment of other literature-inspired prints too.
Buy it: Read More Books print at Society6
18. This Is How We Roll shirt
This shirt memorializes the thrill of getting permission to browse the “recently returned” cart (I just got chills). And honestly, if you haven’t spent a solid half hour browsing Out of Print’s other T-shirts, you oughtta.
Buy it: This Is How We Roll T-shirt at Out of Print
19. Power to the Reader tote
Need we say more? We love this tote from Semicolon, a Black- and woman-owned bookstore and gallery space in Chicago. Power to the reader.
Buy it: Power to the Reader tote at Semicolon
20. Cozy coffee or tea tumbler
No one who works in a school can ever have too many coffee tumblers. This KeepCup with its cork band and smooth lid makes an easy rinse between class visits to the library.
Buy it: KeepCup tumbler at Amazon
21. Customized book embosser
Give the gift of being bossy. Em-bossy. This personalized book embosser is the holy trifecta of a functional, beautiful, and meaningful gift.
Buy it: Embosser at Etsy
22. Bookish Cats puzzle
With beautiful illustrations, cute cats, and amazing puns (excuse me, Anna Purrenina? The Claw-dyssey?), there are almost too many layers to how darling this puzzle is. Almost.
Buy it: Bookish Cats puzzle at Amazon
23. Toni Morrison pin
In addition to books, independent bookstore Kindred Stories in Houston has a great selection of gifts. A Toni pin makes a great addition to a gift box or gift card.
Buy it: Toni Morrison pin at Kindred Stories
24. This notebook from Beausoleil Books
Any librarian (really, anyone who works in a school) could always use another space to jot down ideas, reminders, and tasks. Why not support indie bookstore Beausoleil Books out of Lafayette, Louisiana, at the same time?
Buy it: Notebook at Beausoleil Books
25. A tiny pin of their favorite book
Whether on lanyards, a jacket, or a backpack, these pins make a statement. Excuse us while we go buy 15 of our faves.
Buy it: Pin at Ideal Bookshelf
Librarians deserve the world. But since the world doesn’t quite fit in a gift bag, we hope you’ve found a thing or two from this list of our favorite librarian gifts.
