Arts & Crafts Workshop

Monday 5th July, 10.30am – 12.30pm
Monday 12th July, 10.30am – 12.30pm
Tuesday 20th July,10.30am – 12.30pm
Monday 26th July,10.30am – 12.30pm
Tuesday 3rd August,10.30am – 12.30pm
Monday 9th August,10.30am – 12.30pm

An opportunity to learn how to create a scrapbook and hand-made cards! Informal, relaxed, socialising, tea and cakes, fun and laughter!

Visit to the Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Creative Workshop

Thursday 8th July, 10am – 3pm

Guided tour, creative writing, relaxed and informal, lunch provided

Visit to the St Mungo Museum of Religious Life & Art and Picnic

Wednesday 14th July, 10am – 2pm

Interactive workshops, handling objects, guided tour, learn about faiths of the world in a fun and relaxed way.

Film Screening – Black

(Popcorn & soft drinks provided)
Thursday 15th July, 1.30pm – 3.45pm

A tender story of two soul mates: eight-year-old Michelle McNally, born to an Anglo-Indian family and deaf-blind after an illness at the age of eighteen months; and 48-year-old Debraj Sahai, an eccentric alcoholic and teacher to the deaf-blind. Debraj takes on the task of teaching the bright but violent Michelle. His unorthodox approach eventually succeeds, but he is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease just when he is beginning to make progress with his student. Now, the roles are reversed, and it is Michelle who must help Debraj fight the devastating effects of Alzheimer’s.

Visit to the Garnethill Synagogue and Garnethill Heritage Walk

Wednesday 21st July, 10.30am – 2.30pm

Guided tour, explore the Jewish archives, learn about the Jewish faith, Learn about the Garnethill area through a guided walking tour, Picnic at the Garnethill Park

Visit to Gurdwara (Pollokshields) and Picnic at Maxwell Park

Wednesday 28th July,10.30am – 1.30pm

Tour of the Guru Granth Sahib Gurdwara, handling objects, learn about the Sikh religion

Film Screening – Slumdog Millionaire

(Popcorn & drinks provided)
Thursday 29th July,1.30pm – 3.30pm

Feel good film of the decade. Jamal Malik, an 18 year-old orphan from the slums of Mumbai sets of to find the love of his life Latika. He is about to experience the biggest day of his life. With the whole nation watching, he is just one question away from winning a staggering 20-million rupees on India’s “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?”

Woodlands Barons Haugh Nature Reserve, Motherwell

Thursday 5th August, 10am – 4pm

Nature walk, bird watching, story telling, building bird boxes, picnic.

Booking is essential. For more information or to book your place click here to send us an email or you can call Syma or Pauline on 0141 552 8345

- involved in Greenham Common Women’s Peace Camp?
- active in the socialist and feminists movements between 1972-1990?
- active in the North-East of Scotland around the same time?

We are currently gathering oral histories to feature as part of an International Women’s Day 2011 event in Aberdeen. The event will also showcase campaign materials, minutes, badges and other artefacts, photographs, personal letters and diaries. This exciting exhibition will become part of a permanent collection in the GWL Archives.

Greenham Common Banner

We will be recording oral histories in the North-East of Scotland from July 2010 onwards, and accepting donations of relevant materials towards the end of 2010 (unfortunately no earlier than this, due to our imminent move to the Mitchell Library).

If you would like to contribute to the essential preservation of this important history, please contact Morag Smith, National Lifelong Learning Development Worker by email: morag.smith@womenslibrary.org.uk or telephone: 0141 552 8345.

All contributions will be subject to the conditions of Glasgow Women’s Library oral history copyright clearance and deposit policy. It will be necessary for all contributors to complete an oral history copyright clearance and deposit form.

Unsorted Donations is not your usual art exhibition open to all; it is a unique listening experience. The GWL Archives provide a curious setting as visitors tiptoe through the maze of cardboard boxes and wooden pallets, inhaling the dust of historic artefacts, eyes gradually becoming accustomed to the shadowy light. With the use of hidden speakers scattered throughout the space, Nicky Bird violates the standard codes of Archive etiquette by embedding sound into the setting.

Suggesting the importance and poignancy of the GWL’s yet-to-be-catalogued Archives, Unsorted Donations is not only a surprising and haunting experience – it is a truly significant documentation of the lives and histories of diverse women in Glasgow.

Unsorted Donations is part of GWL’s Making Space project, funded by the Scottish Arts Council. If you would like more information about the project, please contact Glasgow Women’s Library at info@womenslibrary.org.uk or by phoning 0141 552 8345. Thanks.

Unsorted Donations invitation

Blue Spine is a collective project, involving contributions from hundreds of women across Scotland. If you would like more information, please follow this link: http://makingspace.womenslibrary.org.uk/2010/03/31/blue-spine-invite/

This is a free event and booking is not necessary, but we would appreciate if you could let us know if you are coming, either by phone (0141 552 8345) or email (info@womenslibrary.org.uk). Thank you.

Librarian, Laura McVean, proudly displays our certificate of Accreditation

We are very proud to announce that Glasgow Women’s Library has been awarded full status as an Accredited Museum by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council.  This means that we meet nationally agreed standards on collections care, museum management and the provision of information and services to visitors.

This is great news because it is another step towards us becoming a named and recognised national resource for women’s history, culture and information in Scotland.

We are delighted to now be part of a wider network of over 1800 museums across the UK who partake in the MLA’s Accreditation Scheme.

Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA)

Leading strategically, the MLA promotes best practice in museums, libraries and archives, to inspire innovative, integrated and sustainable services for all.

The Museums, Libraries and Archives Council is a Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB), sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).

Unfortunately though we have to say goodbye to the lovely Hanne who was volunteering on this project and did lots of crucial background research and development at the start of the year. Hanne has been snapped up to work full time elsewhere (which isn’t surprising really) so we are looking for someone to take over the reins and assist with this project.

We are looking for someone who has experience of organising events (preferably fundraisers), securing sponsorship, and is confident at working independantly. The post would be for 4 months and would culminate in a fantastic arts event and auction in September.

Interested? Check out the full Volunteer Post Description under the support GWL volunteer page if you want more information.

Or contact me, Laura Dolan, at the library on 0141 552 8345 or via our contact form.

TRAINING SESSION ON SCRAP BOOKING TECHINIQUES  

on Friday 21^st May 2010, 2pm to 4.30pm

at Glasgow Women’s Library, 81 Parnie Street, Glasgow, G1 5RH

Glasgow Women’s Library is looking for volunteers to take part in an exciting Arts project which involves working with women’s groups around Glasgow to create individual life books using scrap booking techniques. 

The women will be encouraged to reflect on their life history, acknowledge their skills and experience, explore their interests and ambitions and mark their achievements.  These will be incorporated into their life book. 

The life books can include family history; favourites/likes/dislikes; skills/experience; ambitions/aspirations, memorable stories; poems/creative writing, recipes etc.  They can chose to write in their community language.

Apart from the fabulous range of creative paper and gems/embellishments to choose from, the women can also include photographs and personal documents such as certificates / qualifications. 

The project aims to raise the confidence and self esteem of the participants in a fun and creative way. 

 To sign up, or for more details please contact Syma on 0141 552 8345.

Summer events are listed below, just click on the title of each to take you direct to the page or check our calendar of events for further details.

Feel free to contact us with any questions and please pass this information on to colleagues, friends and family.

Hope to see you at an event soon,
Laura Dolan
Lifelong Learning Assistant

Pop-up Women’s Library @ CCA

Friday 7 May, Friday 14 May, and Friday 21 May, between 1pm to 3pm
GWL pops-up at the CCA on Sauchiehall Street at various points throughout the Long Loch Exhibition. Why not come in an see us to find out more.

Open Doors at GWL

Friday 28 May, 10am – 3pm
Open Doors Day at Glasgow Women’s Library, pop in to see us at 81 Parnie Street, Glasgow G1 5RH. Library staff will be unveiling remarkable artefacts from our archive, showing how you can become a women’s history detective, revealing our plans for the ultimate auction of pleasures and screening more from the second wave feminist testimonies collection.

Firebrand Women and The F Word

Friday 28 May, 7pm at the CCA, Sauchiehall Street
Screening, for the first time in Glasgow, a sample of filmed testimonies by women involved in the birth of the feminist movement in Scotland. Followed by a screening of the F Word, a film that seeks to answer the questions… What impact has feminism had on young women’s lives? And, what relevance has it for them today?

Garnethill Women’s Heritage Walk

Saturday 29 May, 10am from the CCA in Sauchiehall Street
Back by popular demand, this walking tour within Garnethill’s confined boundaries will spotlight the women who pioneered European art movements, designed the banners for suffragette processions, created the first (and only) women’s library in Scotland and made Garnethill into the most exciting cultural and multicultural hotspot in Glasgow. Book early to avoid disappointment.

Reading into the Future

Saturday 29 May, 2.30pm at the CCA in Sauchiehall Street
Visions of new a home for women, art, feminism and reading in Glasgow. What will the new space look like? What facilities should it contain? And, what reading, making, performing, learning and researching could take place there? And…Swap a Book and Make a Kite!

Women Writers Unite: The Journey

Thursday 17 June, 4pm to 5pm at The Mitchell Library
Women Writers Unite to examine the physical, emotional and spiritual journey which forms a pivotal part of most women’s lives. Authors Louise Welsh, Leela Soma, Joyce Ito and Sarah Ward share their own work, as well as the experiences of others on themes of migration, asylum, and the struggle to live across two very different cultures. Book early to avoid disappointment.

Jackie Kay – Red Dust Road Launch Night

Wednesday 23 June, 7pm
Jackie Kay visits the library to launch one of the most inspirational stories – her own. With music from Suzanne Bonnar. Book early to avoid disappointment. (this is a ticketed event with limited seating available, no admission on the night without a ticket).

West End Women’s Heritage Walks

Sunday 20 June or Sunday 27 June, 2pm
Back by popular demand, this pioneering women’s heritage walk, developed by women historians at GWL, reveals a hidden history of the West End. Part of the West End Festival, tickets are available for £6.50 from Barrett’s News Agents in Byres Road (opposite Hillhead Subway)

Merchant City Festival: Women’s Heritage Walk

Women Make History are planning a Merchant City walk as part of the Merchant City Festival in July, details still to be confirmed but keep an eye on the festival programme and our website for more information.

And, one to watch out for…
In September 2010 GWL brings you, The Auction of Pleasures: What’s Your Pleasure?

Anyone can be a Women Make History tour guide. It helps keep you fit and engage with your community, uncovers hidden histories of women, and can be a great way to meet new people. This short film will give you more information on what it means to be a tour guide. Just watch and see how you can get involved.