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Letters of Support for GWL

Glasgow Women's Library (GWL) is about to embark on its most exciting phase of development since its inception in 1991 and is asking for your help.

There are two major developments:

• During the next 18 months GWL will relocate to Glasgow's Mitchell Library, where it will be housed in fully accessible fit-for-purpose premises. Based on the findings of initial consultation a preliminary design and cost analysis survey has been produced with Emma Campbell at Gareth Hoskins Architects. The study has helped to create the vision for our new space and provided us with an estimated cost of £1 million.
• Secondly, with the support of funding from the Scottish Government, we are currently scoping the feasibility of becoming a national resource, 'The Women's Library of Scotland', recognised as a 'collection of national significance'.

In order to raise the capital for the building works in our new home at the Mitchell Library, we are submitting a number of applications for funding.

Heritage Lottery Fund

The first application to be submitted will be to the Heritage Lottery Fund to provide dedicated archive rooms, display and educational facilities to the highest standards. This will ensure that GWL's unique archive collections will be:

• Properly conserved and enhanced
• More accessible, so that an increased number of people are able to learn about and enjoy women's historical, political and cultural achievements
• Open for the increased involvement and encouragement of volunteers who are committed to the promotion and importance of women's heritage, for example in conservation and archiving

For our application to be successful, it is essential to demonstrate that there is a high degree of both endorsement of the Library's work and need for our materials and services, and this is where we would like your help.

Letter of Support

We would like to ask you for a letter of support that can serve two purposes: to accompany our application to the Heritage Lottery Fund and to support our development into a national resource. This letter should focus on why GWL (its collection and services) is important and relevant to you or to the people you work with or represent.

The following are suggested themes for inclusion:

• The importance of preserving and enhancing GWL's unique collection and making it accessible for wider use and for future generations - why would this collection be important and relevant to you and/or the people you work with?
• The value of dedicated archive of materials on women's historical, political and cultural achievements in Scotland - how could you and/or the people you work with be involved in, learn about, access and enjoy the collection?
• The need for GWL's development into a national Women's Library in Scotland.
• The value of volunteering and placement opportunities that will be provided.

We are asking you to write a letter to us to: 1) support our bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund to develop the archive collection so that we can conserve and enhance women's history and heritage, provide volunteering opportunities and increase access to the collection; and / or: 2) tell your Glasgow Women's Library 'stories' that illustrate the impact that the Library's collection and services have had on your life and/or work and why they are important and relevant to you for the future. If you have any memories or experiences of using GWL's materials, volunteering or attending events, workshops, courses or groups, please tell us!

Demand for GWL

In addition to requesting this letter of support, we are circulating a proforma to gather further evidence of demand for GWL (and any future national resource), for both consultation and fundraising purposes, and would be grateful if you could also download, complete and return this questionaire to the Library.

Proforma for consultation exercise.

Your help would be very much appreciated and I would ask that your letter (and proforma) be sent to me at Glasgow Women's Library (address below) by the end of October. If you require further information or would like to discuss the Heritage Lottery Fund application or our bid for national status further, please do not hesitate to contact me.

I look forward to hearing from you and would like to thank you in anticipation of your support on behalf of everyone at Glasgow Women's Library.

Yours sincerely,
Sue John
Strategic Development Manager
sue.john [at] womenslibrary.org.uk

Glasgow Women's Library
81 Parnie Street (2nd Floor)
Glasgow G1 5RH

Related Links

Other ways to support GWL
Become a Friend of Glasgow Women's Library.

Moving GWL
More about GWL's move to the Mitchell Library

GWL History
More about the history of Glasgow Women's Library

GWL, 2nd Floor, 81 Parnie Street, Glasgow, G1 5RH
t/f: 0141 552 8345 e: info@womenslibrary.org.uk
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© Glasgow Women's Library 2005