Feminist Library
11th November 2019Great news! We have the keys to the new Feminist Library home!
After a successful fundraising campaign earlier this year and over a year of hard work, London’s Feminist Library is very excited to announce that it has now signed the lease and received keys to its new space – at the Sojourner Truth Community Centre at 161 Sumner Road in Peckham.
5 Westminster Bridge Road has been home to the much-loved Library since 1987 until recent plans to redevelop the building left it facing closure. The saving of the Library and the current move has been made possible by all of you, helping us raise over £65,000 to save the Library, enabling the moving of the collection, the refitting of the new space, and all other associated costs.
In collaboration with an amazing team of women and non-binary architects, designers and makers, the Library collective is now starting the process of refitting the building and moving the stock and is looking forward to a series of opening events. These will include a special evening celebration on 31st January prioritising those who donated to the Crowdfunder and got a ticket as a reward and a second event on 1st February – a big opening party for all to celebrate the Library’s new home. The line-up will include readings, performances, music, and refreshments! More details on all of these and other events to follow soon…
The new space has been designed by HI-VIS and Studio Lucy Sanderson, and the fittings built by Power Project. To accompany the fresh look of the new space, the Library also has a new logo and branding designed by the graphic designer, Anna Lincoln.
To document the journey, Lucy Sanderson and Lilian Nejatpour are making a film about the Library’s move. The documentary is produced by Tracy Bass with Sound Design by La Roux (Elly Jackson).
You can read the full update on the move here and sign up to our newsletter, if you haven't yet, here. If you'd like to help us complete the move process, you can get involved in following ways:
Our volunteers and supporters are what keep the Library running. Volunteers have done an amazing job in preparation for the move by cataloguing and packing up the collection. Once the refit is complete, they will start on the unpacking process – the Library still needs volunteers to help with this, as well as other ongoing volunteer opportunities. Please get in touch with our Volunteer Coordinator, Lola Olufemi at [email protected] if you would like to take part.
Our Friends Scheme enables the public to give ongoing monthly donations to support the Library’s running costs. The Library currently has 256 Friends and is looking to increase this to 600 in the next year to enable us to cover the increased costs of the new space. From as little as £3 a month you can help preserve Feminist Herstories. Friends receive a 15% discount on any purchases at stalls and in the bookshop. Sign up and spread the word by following the link here.