The T-Shirt That Helped Fill Library Shelves

At Local Laundry, we believe clothing should do more than just look good, it should do good, too.

This spring, we teamed up with the Calgary Public Library Foundation to support something close to our hearts: putting more books in the hands of Calgarians. The result? A limited-edition, Canadian-made t-shirt, designed by local artist Jarett Sitter, that helped raise $7,000 for the Library Foundation’s Fifth Book Campaign, all in just two weeks.

Why the Fifth Book Matters

Due to rising costs and record-breaking demand, for every five books the Library could once afford, it can now only buy four. That missing fifth book represents lost access to knowledge, imagination, and opportunity.

The Fifth Book Campaign was launched to help close that gap, to ensure that readers of all ages, backgrounds, and neighbourhoods continue to have free, equitable access to the stories and resources that shape our city.

So when the Library Foundation reached out with an idea to support the campaign through community-built clothing, we knew what to do.

The T-Shirt: A Journey in Every Stitch

The design by Jarett Sitter captures the journey of a library book through Calgary, passed from person to person, neighbourhood to neighbourhood. It’s a playful, heartwarming story told through illustration. The tee itself was printed on our signature bamboo/cotton blend, and like everything we make, it was milled, cut, sewn, and printed entirely in Canada.

More than just apparel, this shirt became a symbol of literacy, learning, and local pride.

You Made It Happen

We launched the pre-sale on May 21, and in just two weeks, our community stepped up in a big way. We sold over 350 shirts, raising $7,000 to help fill library shelves.

That means:

• More books in more hands

• More resources for families, students, and lifelong learners

• More reasons to believe in the power of community

To everyone who purchased, posted, or simply helped spread the word: thank you. Your support is helping turn threads into stories.

And if you missed out this time? Stay tuned. We’ve got more purpose-driven projects on the way 💙