Gifts for Reference Librarians
Personalized reference librarian shirts, hoodies and mugs. Add their name, title or workplace to any design and see the exact print before you order.
20 designs for reference librarian · T-shirts
Picking a gift for a reference librarian
Reference librarians spend their days answering questions nobody else can, from tracking down a 1920s newspaper to figuring out what a patron actually means when they say they need "that book with the blue cover." The job is quiet and specific, and a gift that shows you know that lands well. Think about the desk they sit behind, the patrons who come in with half a question, and the cart of returns they're always pushing. A tee or hoodie with reference librarian printed on it is an easy yes, and adding their library, branch or year of their MLS turns a generic shirt into one that's clearly theirs. If you're buying for a whole library staff, one design with each person's name on their own shirt makes a better gift for Library Week than a plate of cookies. National Library Week falls in April, and it's a good time to order.
Reference Librarian gift questions
Can I add my librarian's credential or library name?
Yes. Many designs have a second line, so you can type in an MLS, the library name or the branch. The preview updates so you can check the spacing before you order.
When is National Library Week?
National Library Week is in April every year. If you're buying for a whole staff, order a few weeks ahead of it.
Is there a gift for a librarian who just finished library school?
A hoodie or tee with their new title and graduation year is a good choice. It marks the milestone and gets worn for years.
Can I order for a whole reference team at once?
Yes. Use the Team Shop: choose one design, paste the list of names, and pick a size for each person. Each shirt prints with its own name.
What sizes do the reference librarian shirts come in?
Adult tees come in S to 3XL. Hoodies, kids tees and onesies list their own sizes on each product page.
How long does a reference librarian gift take to arrive?
Each order is printed after you place it, in 2 to 4 business days, then ships by ground in 3 to 5 business days. The product page shows the delivery window for today's orders.
What if the print has a mistake?
If we print something different from the preview you approved, or it arrives damaged, we reprint it free.
Reference Librarian gift ideas
- A tee for the reference deskPick a shirt in the design set and add their library branch on a second line so coworkers know exactly whose it is.
- A mug for the long research daysAn 11 oz mug with reference librarian on it is a small, daily reminder that their expertise is noticed.
- A hoodie for the cold stacksLibraries run cool, and a hoodie with their title and graduation year works for the basement archives and the commute home.
- Matching shirts for the library staffUse the Team Shop to pick one design and paste the names of everyone on the reference team, with a size for each.