Julie Bindel on feminist libraries - 'we all need to be archivists'

[DomesticatedZombie]

unherd.com/2022/04/the-corruption-of-the-feminist-library/

“what I want is an anti-sectarian library that is accessible to everybody, where debate and dialogue are welcome, and where no feminist publications are censored.”

Gail Chester, founder of London's Feminist Library

Just read it. An eminently reasonable article about something we should be worried about. But the comments BTL are almost entirely from men antagonistic to feminism. Women can't comment without joining UnHerd —which from the look of things isn't a good place to be a woman.

Ah, I missed the comments. Just can't really be arsed 'debating ' with mRAs, anyway.

Always makes me think that so many avenues are closing that feminist knowledge will eventually resemble the Book People in Farenheit 451.

What practical steps can we take other than letter writing? So many librarians are so woke because we've always been seen as liberal and inclusive. Which is how we've ended up with drag queen story time 🤪

So, I have space to store any materials and a small budget.

I'll try and make contacts at the Women's Library and see what the plans are with regards the review of materials.

I suppose we could fundraise for a feminist library with a constitution that specifically rules out male membership in any form? We've raised millions so far for tribunals and court cases. Surely we could raise enough money to buy a building and create a library.

Or we stand for the committee at the feminist library and start pushing back. This is something concrete that women in London could do: not so easy for those of hundreds of miles away.

I suppose we could fundraise for a feminist library with a constitution that specifically rules out male membership in any form?

A library that only stores feminist works - good. A library that only stores works by female writers - justifiable: preserving the voices of a specific demographic. But a library that only allows females to become members? Can that be considered sex discrimination for a legitimate aim?

Save stuff, I suppose! Archive on the web archives. Collect ephemera. Take photos and save them. Gather material and forge connections. The important thing, I would say (I'm not a historian) is maybe not the stuff itself but the networks built. Those won't ever go away; every feminist discussion and action is another piece of women's history. So - talk to people. Talk to your daughters, mothers, neighbours, MPs, councillors and friends.

It's worth noting the kind of books and writings (and art) which is being disappeared. Do we have a list of the authors and artists who have been dropped by their publishers or harassed?

@LittleWhingingWoman

It's worth noting the kind of books and writings (and art) which is being disappeared. Do we have a list of the authors and artists who have been dropped by their publishers or harassed?

Gillian Philip Rachel Rooney Claudia Clare (ceramics) Jenny Lindsay (poet). Someone has been havking about with her wikipedia page, btw. www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jenny_Lindsay

There is a Friends of the Women's Library which is £15 a year to join. You don't need to be close but you'll be kept up to date on changes and need to be consulted on major changes.