For one of my individual field trips I went to The Women’s Library at London’s Metropolitan University. They have over 60,000 books and pamphlets, over 3,000 periodicals, over 460 archives, and a series of electronic resources that focus on documenting and exploring “women’s lives in Britain in the past, present and in the future. It inspires learning and debate and is an international resource for women’s history research.” When we got there we were allowed to view their current exhibition for free, but had to apply for a free day pass to get into the reading room. On the application we had to give our permanent and temporary address, what we were researching, what types of documents we would be using, and we had to show a form of ID. Also, we had to check our purses and jackets in the basement cloakroom, and could only use pencils to take notes.
The upstairs reading room was a quiet and peaceful environment. The books were catalogued in the Dewey Decimal System and there were about 15 shelves worth. A separate room was set aside for periodicals (a big room), and there were private areas for reading and computer use. Near the computers was a large bulletin board where scholarships, classes, studies, and other announcements pertaining to women were posted. Such a great resource – I would love to go to some of the meetings they had on there! There was one librarian working the entire reading room, and other workers came in and out giving tours to visitors. Two women worked the front desk downstairs and were extremely helpful providing information.
Their current exhibition was my favourite part though. It was titled “What Women Want” and focused on seven areas that encompass what women want. Each stop had thought provoking writings about the area and provided related new and old pictures, magazines, and materials, First, a Home Life. This area talked about how the definition of a home has changed so much, but that women want the right to design a home and family in a way that is comfortable and normal to them. Second, Freedom and Independence. Women need to feel free to express their sexuality, travel on their own, do things without having to depend on men. Third, Safety and Security. In the past and in the present women deal with issues of rape, domestic abuse, and more; they want to be free from being viewed as prey, or weak, by men and other women. Fourth, Equality at Work. Equal pay for equal work, respect in the workplace, and halting sexual harassment that is sometimes seen as acceptable and “just in fun.” Fifth, Beauty. Women want to feel beautiful, though what beautiful is is hard to define. Sixth, Pleasure. Women want to find pleasure in whatever leisurely activity they choose whether it be feminine or not, like playing sports. Finally, women want a Voice. This includes the right to vote, the right to run for office, and the right to have a say in their community and world.
A large bulletin board was set up on one wall and had an area for each of these categories. Paper was provided so that women could write their thoughts about the subjects and post them. The Beauty section was so striking. Some of the comments to “What makes a woman beautiful?” were: self-confidence, compassion, originality, heart, knowing yourself. I wrote “a wise and oft-used mind.” Yet, the majority of women worldwide don’t feel beautiful because they don’t feel they measure up to society’s idea of what beauty is. It’s so sad to reflect on the way media images and pressure stop many women from revelling in their true beauty.
I definitely recommend this place to any woman, and plan to go back there to do some more research for my Jane Austen paper. As a woman who observed and documented the behaviors and societal restrictions on women, Austen is someone who would have loved this library and what it stands for.
The upstairs reading room was a quiet and peaceful environment. The books were catalogued in the Dewey Decimal System and there were about 15 shelves worth. A separate room was set aside for periodicals (a big room), and there were private areas for reading and computer use. Near the computers was a large bulletin board where scholarships, classes, studies, and other announcements pertaining to women were posted. Such a great resource – I would love to go to some of the meetings they had on there! There was one librarian working the entire reading room, and other workers came in and out giving tours to visitors. Two women worked the front desk downstairs and were extremely helpful providing information.
Their current exhibition was my favourite part though. It was titled “What Women Want” and focused on seven areas that encompass what women want. Each stop had thought provoking writings about the area and provided related new and old pictures, magazines, and materials, First, a Home Life. This area talked about how the definition of a home has changed so much, but that women want the right to design a home and family in a way that is comfortable and normal to them. Second, Freedom and Independence. Women need to feel free to express their sexuality, travel on their own, do things without having to depend on men. Third, Safety and Security. In the past and in the present women deal with issues of rape, domestic abuse, and more; they want to be free from being viewed as prey, or weak, by men and other women. Fourth, Equality at Work. Equal pay for equal work, respect in the workplace, and halting sexual harassment that is sometimes seen as acceptable and “just in fun.” Fifth, Beauty. Women want to feel beautiful, though what beautiful is is hard to define. Sixth, Pleasure. Women want to find pleasure in whatever leisurely activity they choose whether it be feminine or not, like playing sports. Finally, women want a Voice. This includes the right to vote, the right to run for office, and the right to have a say in their community and world.
A large bulletin board was set up on one wall and had an area for each of these categories. Paper was provided so that women could write their thoughts about the subjects and post them. The Beauty section was so striking. Some of the comments to “What makes a woman beautiful?” were: self-confidence, compassion, originality, heart, knowing yourself. I wrote “a wise and oft-used mind.” Yet, the majority of women worldwide don’t feel beautiful because they don’t feel they measure up to society’s idea of what beauty is. It’s so sad to reflect on the way media images and pressure stop many women from revelling in their true beauty.
I definitely recommend this place to any woman, and plan to go back there to do some more research for my Jane Austen paper. As a woman who observed and documented the behaviors and societal restrictions on women, Austen is someone who would have loved this library and what it stands for.
