Our History
Glasgow Women's Library was established in 1991. It grew out of the women's arts-orientated project, Women in Profile (1987), to ensure the visibility of women in the programming of the Glasgow, European City of Culture year (1990).
Our beginnings in 1991
Since 1991 thousands of women have contributed to the growth and success of the Library. The collection has been largely donated and there have been scores of women involved in managing its projects, volunteering and contributing their time, expertise, visions and energies.
Adele Patrick, a Library founder remains on board as Lifelong Learning Co-ordinator and Sue John, a volunteer in 1993 is now Director of Strategic Planning. Some women have renewed their annual membership since 1991 supporting the Library through each stage of its eventful life.
Links with other organisations
The Library is a unique resource in Scotland but has always sought support and links with sister organisations world-wide. Many of the Library projects, policies and initiatives have developed after peer group visits, contacts or discussions. One early inspiration came from exchange visits with Kunstlerinnenarchiv, Nurnberg (now located at Bildwechsel, Hamburg) in 1990/1. Another inspiring sister organization was the former Women Artists Slide Library, now the Women's Art Library, based at Goldsmith's College, London.
Over the Library's history we have held hundreds of events, undertaken research, training and partnerships, visited and hosted workshops, conferences and exhibitions.
We have visited international sister projects as well as making firm links with local and national women's initiatives. We have grown from an unfunded, grassroots initiative with no paid workers to a busy, multifacted organisation with five paid staff, sessional workers and over 20 volunteers. Over 1,800 women have become members and many thousands more have visited or used the Library's resources or learning opportunities.
The Library's work and history has been the focus of a range of press coverage and academic studies. Most recently, the Library was highlighted as a significant UK project in a thesis by Dr. Rosie Ilett.
Landmarks in the Library's history
Some significant landmarks in the Library's history include:
- 1991
- Library's first base on Hill Street, Garnethill, Glasgow opens. No paid staff.
- 1993
- Library launches its first publication, Women, HIV/AIDS: a bibliography, edited by Rosie Ilett (shortlisted for a Library Association award in 1994).
- 1994
- Due to increase in collection and users, the Library relocated to large, city-centre premises at 109 Trongate (4th and 5th floors).
Incorporates as a Company.
Begins volunteer training programme. - 1995
- First funding for a Library wage (a part-time salary shared by three workers).
The London-based Lesbian Archive and Information Centre (LAIC) relocates to the GWL's 5th floor.
The Library celebrates its 500th member. - 1996
- Monthly free lawyer's surgeries begin (ongoing).
First GWL banner and first monthly GWL Newsletter (ongoing). - 1997
- Civic reception for GWL's Women at Work database.
- 1998
- 1000th GWL member.
- 1999
- Comic Relief fund the GWL LIPS project, two workers employed.
GWL embarks on research and publishes a report for Glasgow City Council on 'Poverty and Social Exclusion of Lesbians and Gay Men.' - 2000
- GWL awarded charitable status.
- 2001
- A motion in the new Scottish Parliament congratulates GWL on its work.
- 2002
- Glasgow City Council funds a Lifelong Learning Co-ordinator post at GWL.
- 2003
- Glasgow Community Learning Strategy Partnership fund an Adult Literacy and Numeracy Development Worker post at GWL.
GWL acquires a third floor (1st floor at 109 Trongate).
A cohort of sessional tutors are trained and employed and two staff join the team to provide outreach support to lesbians over 25.
GWL establishes a Women's Community Garden. - 2004
- Scottish Arts Council fund GWL's first Writer in Residence.
- 2005
- Learning Connections funding allows ALN Learners to publish a book of their writing, launched in May 2005.
Offer of new location within the Mitchell Library. (Relaunch early 2008)
Website re-launched.
The Library's first Librarian, Wendy Kirk, is appointed.
First large scale documentation project launched supported by Scottish Community Fund and Awards for All (ongoing) - 2006
- GWL moves to temporary premises at 81 Parnie Street.