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Museum Details
The Women's Library
Image: Photograph of The Women's Library
The Women's Library
London Metropolitan University
25 Old Castle Street
London
E1 7NT
England
Collection details
Archives
Costume and Textiles
Decorative and Applied Art
Law and Order
Literature
Medicine
Personalities
Photography
Social History
Facilities
Guided tours: yes
Baby changing facilities: yes
Library: yes
Study area: yes
Wheelchair access: yes
Visual disability facilities: yes
Hearing disability facilities: yes
Contact details
General information (Tel)
:
0207 320 2222
General information (Fax)
:
0207 320 2333
General enquiries
:
moreinfo@thewomenslibrary.ac.uk
Reading Room enquiries
:
enquirydesk@thewomenslibrary.ac.uk
Space hire enquiries
:
hires@thewomenslibrary.ac.uk
The Women's Library Website
:
www.thewomenslibrary.ac.uk
Women's History Portal maintained by The Women's Library
:
www.genesis.ac.uk
Open
Exhibition Opening hours
Mon-Wed & Fri 9.30-17.30
Thurs 9.30-20.00
Sat 10.00-16.00
Sun Closed
Reading Room Opening hours
Mon Closed
Tues, Wed & Fri 9.30-17.00
Thurs 9.30-20.00
Sat 10.00-16.00
Sun Closed
Closed
The Women's Library, as part of London Metropolitan University, closes for brief periods over the Easter and Christmas holidays. It has an annual Closed Week for stocktaking and essential Library work. This is usually the first week of September. It is closed on Saturdays during the month of August. Please check our website for details.
Admission charges
Free
Description
The Women's Library is a cultural centre housing the most extensive collection of women's history in the UK. As well as the Reading Room there is a lively exhibition and events programme. Access is free and open to everyone.
Collections description
The Women's Library has the most extensive collections of women's history in the UK, covering a range of topics relating primarily to Britain. Published materials include over 60,000 books and pamphlets, including first editions and rare items, and 2,400 periodical titles, ranging from popular magazines to academic quarterlies. Special collections consist of 350 archival collections, including personal papers, records of societies and associations, and research and oral history projects. There are also holdings of photographs, posters, postcards and other visual materials.
Key artists and exhibits
suffrage banners
;
women's magazines
;
votes for women
;
women's campaigning
;
women's institutes
;
emily wilding davison
;
feminism
;
women's liberation
;
badges
;
posters
;
prison letters
Articles
The History Of Women's Magazines At The Women's Library
From Anarchists To Islamists - A History Of Terrorism In London
Latin American Sounds: from Earliest Rhythms to Contemporary Carnival
The History Of Lone Mothers At The Women's Library
Gulbenkian Museum Prize 2007 - Here's What The People Say
More Than 1,000 Votes Flood In For Gulbenkian Prize People's Choice
Gulbenkian Prize Longlist 2007: The Women's Library, London
Trails
Known Homosexuals - Lesbian History In The Archives
Gay History - A Trail Exploring LGBT Heritage In London Collections
Take A Ball Of Chalk Round London's East End
Events
The Brian Harrison Interviews: Oral histories of the Suffrage Movement
Lecture
Between the Covers: Women's Magazines and their Readers Exhibition
Exhibition (temporary)
Blonde Roots: Bernardine Evaristo in conversation with Dr Caroline Bressey
Lecture
Upstairs, Downstairs (Guided Walk)
Guided tour
Between the Covers: Women’s Magazines and their Readers Exhibition Tour
Exhibition (temporary); Guided tour
Zine Fest
Workshop or activity session
The Women's Library Book Group
The Battling Belles of Bow (Guided Walk)
Guided tour
Between the Covers: Women’s Magazines and their Readers Exhibition Tour
Exhibition (temporary); Guided tour
From Miss Appleyard’s Awakening to Monstrous Regiment
Workshop or activity session
15 years of DIVA magazine
Lecture
The Women's Library Book Group
Between the Covers: Women’s Magazines and their Readers Exhibition Tour
Exhibition (temporary); Guided tour
Home Page
News Page
Exhibition Page
What's On
Trails Page
Website of the Week
Letters Page
Welsh Home
Graphical Version
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Information published here was believed to be correct at the time it was prepared. Welsh language pages developed with CYMAL: Museums Archives and Libraries Wales, funded by the Welsh Assembly Government.