The Feminist Library

The Feminist Library Founded in 1975, the Feminist Library is a growing archive of materials relating to feminism, led by a collective of volunteers.

The Library is also an intersectional community space, which is trans-inclusive and welcomes visitors of all genders. We support research, activism and community projects. Our non-fiction collection consists of about 5,000 books dating from 1900 to the present day. The collection is very strong in the areas of the arts, politics and the Women’s Liberation Movement, women’s history, and mental and

physical health. We also have about 2,500 works of fiction from all around the world, the majority of which are in English and some in various European and Latin American languages. Our poetry collection of some 500 publications represents a significant number of little-known and/or self-published woman poets, as well as poetry by more well-known and commercially published women. An estimated 1,500 periodicals titles are represented. They date from the late 1960’s to the present day and they occupy about 85 metres of library shelving. We also hold a growing collection of self-published zines. The Feminist Library Bookshop is open at the Library every Saturday selling new and used books and periodicals, zines, contemporary magazines, badges, totes and other merchandise. Our stalls appear at a wide range of events in London and elsewhere. Keep an eye on our website and Facebook events for our exciting programme. Opening hours*

Wednesdays 11am – 5pm

Saturdays 1pm – 4pm

Pre-booking is currently required for all visitors. Three-hour research slots are available:

Wednesdays 11am – 2pm or 2pm – 5pm
Saturdays 1pm – 4pm. Book on our Eventbrite page: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/feminist-library-10830367574


We are always seeking volunteers - email [email protected] to find out more. Other queries email [email protected]

Thank you to everyone who came to the info day for our Time & Space residencies on August 23rd! Loads of people came thr...
28/08/2026

Thank you to everyone who came to the info day for our Time & Space residencies on August 23rd! Loads of people came through with big enthusiasm and tonnes of questions.

The most important thing was seeing the space, so here it is if you couldn't make it, or if you could but need a reminder.

During the residency, each resident will have exclusive use of this small office, max 4 person capacity but really a 1-person working space. It's step-free and level, lockable with a key and behind a second door which has a code lock (and then the front door after that, so super secure).

The office comes with a desk, some shelves, some chairs, and a filing cabinet. Any and all of this can be taken out, and you can bring in anything else you might need. You can put things on the walls and even paint them if you need. There is a floor-length window to the courtyard which has a security grate and blinds. We haven't actually opened that window in a while, but can find out how. There is also air conditioning.

This space is good for:
- writing / reading / any desk work
- painting and small sculptural work
- small meetings
- limited recording work (with some noise disturbance)
- other things we haven't thought of

it's not the best for:
- hot works (welding! no way)
- dusty and/or noisy work
- working at a large scale

You'll also have access to our regular library spaces out of hours, and be able to book these spaces for free.

Did you know that the Feminist Library offers group tours? If you're a student, teacher, tutor, or worker at any politic...
27/08/2026

Did you know that the Feminist Library offers group tours? If you're a student, teacher, tutor, or worker at any political or educational institution you better listen up.

We offer tours for 5-30 people of our unique and historic collection. Tours can be themed around grassroots feminism, community archives, horizontal decision making, or running a self-organised social space. For an extra fee, we can customise a tour specific to your learning interests. The library is a great place to bring students at any level to find research material for their assignment, from zines and periodicals to a wealth of books.

We also offer zine workshops as a standalone or connected to a tour.

Tours start at £200 for the typical university class, and we offer reduced rates for local schools / sixth forms and smaller organisations.

Check out our website for all the details, and book your tour for the autumn term!

📖 Book: Taiwan Travelogue by Yáng Shuāng-zǐ☕ Meeting: Sat 5 September, 2.00-3.30pm📍Location: Feminist Library🔮 Mark your...
26/08/2026

📖 Book: Taiwan Travelogue by Yáng Shuāng-zǐ
☕ Meeting: Sat 5 September, 2.00-3.30pm
📍Location: Feminist Library
🔮 Mark your calendars for the October session: 3 Oct on Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke

Summary: Winner of the 2026 International Booker Prize, Taiwan Travelogue follows two women on their culinary tour across Taiwan in the 1930s, when the island was under Japanese rule. The book centres on a fictional Japanese writer, Aoyama Chizuko, who is on a government-sponsored tour of Taiwan with a Taiwanese translator, O Chizuru, whom she falls in love with. Through their lens, the novel explores issues of love, culture, colonial history and power.

https://thebookerprizes.com/the-booker-library/books/taiwan-travelogue

TIME & SPACE RESIDENCIESkey info:- application deadline October 15th 2026- application link in bio and on our website- i...
12/08/2026

TIME & SPACE RESIDENCIES
key info:

- application deadline October 15th 2026
- application link in bio and on our website
- info day is Aug 23rd 2pm - 4pm
- the residency can be any month in 2027
- comes with a £1500 unrestricted stipend
- there'll be another info day in October

Full details in previous post and on our website!

TIME + SPACE RESIDENCIES 2027 for Black feminists in LondonAre you a Black feminist artist, researcher, writer, or organ...
05/08/2026

TIME + SPACE RESIDENCIES 2027
for Black feminists in London

Are you a Black feminist artist, researcher, writer, or organiser? Do you need some dedicated time and space in 2027 to regroup, study, reflect, or get something off the ground? The Feminist Library has time and space for you.

What is it:
- 3 x residencies for Black feminists in London
- £1500 stipend each
- 4 consecutive weeks free private office space at the Feminist Library, at any point within 2027*
- mentoring session with Rabz Lansiquot, Barby Asante, and/or Mpho the Gvn
- access to the feminist library collection, printing, and booking our spaces for free during your residency
- application deadline: October 15th 2026

This residency is for self-directed development and is not outcome-oriented. You can take this time to make or develop something new, but you can also use it to recuperate or reflect if that's what you need. The library is a loose network of autonomous people, so it's important you are at a stage in your practice to work independently with the space and time provided.

Who is this for?

Any Black feminist living or working in London who is over the age of 18, and ready for a self-directed period of work / research / activity. You do not need to be an established person in your field, and we do not ask for a portfolio or CV. We are transfeminist and trans inclusive, and expect our residents to be as well. We encourage applications from trans feminists (especially trans women), young people and people over 50 years old, and disabled feminists. Our space is step free and level, with detailed access information on our website.

How can I find out more?

We will have an information day at The Feminist Library on August 23rd, 2pm - 4pm. There will be free refreshments. Come have a look at the space and talk through the residency with members of the collective. If this isn't feasible for you, you can pop in during our regular open times to see the space, and email [email protected] with any questions you have.

*we are closed for Christmas and August but you will be given a key for your residency period if you choose these times.

We're on holidayyyyyyy.For the month of August we're taking a break. We close on July 31st (inclusive, don't  come by on...
30/07/2026

We're on holidayyyyyyy.

For the month of August we're taking a break. We close on July 31st (inclusive, don't come by on Friday) and we're back September 1st.

You can still pop by for scheduled events, but we're not answering your emails, your DMs, or your doorbells. Seeya!

📖 Book: I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman☕ Meeting: Sat 1 August, 2.00-3.30pm📍Location: Feminist LibraryD...
29/07/2026

📖 Book: I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman
☕ Meeting: Sat 1 August, 2.00-3.30pm
📍Location: Feminist Library

Discover the haunting, heartbreaking post-apocalyptic tale of female friendship and intimacy set in a deserted world.

Deep underground, thirty-nine women are kept in isolation in a cage. Above ground, a world awaits. Has it been abandoned? Devastated by a virus?

We're gonna be at the London Radical Book Fair!  Sunday 6th of September, 11 - 5pm at .uk free entry!
22/07/2026

We're gonna be at the London Radical Book Fair!

Sunday 6th of September, 11 - 5pm at .uk free entry!

15/07/2026

REMINDER FOR THIS WEEKEND

D***S VS. DOCUMENTS ✂️📃🥊 A NAME / I.D. CHANGE WORKSHOP - 18th of July, 1pm-3pm, at The Feminist Library (SE15 6JL)

free tickets at

We'll give you the info to cut through the red tape, and then we'll cut it with you in an admin body-doubling session. By the end of the workshop you'll know how to change - or will have changed - your:

- Legal name (by Deed Poll)
- Name and gender on your driver's licence
- Name and s*x marker on your passport
- Name, gender and/or s*x marker with the NHS
- Name and gender with other services: bank, utilities, employer, HMRC, etc.

Deal your trans+ admin a finishing blow 👊

Poster by: .waltersss

HOW TO PROPOSE AN EVENT AT THE FEMINIST LIBRARYWe hold 2 application windows each year. These are December 1st - 20th an...
10/07/2026

HOW TO PROPOSE AN EVENT AT THE FEMINIST LIBRARY

We hold 2 application windows each year. These are December 1st - 20th and July 1st - 30th

Get your proposals for the year in using the form on our website, during these windows ONLY *

(*emergency bookings only for urgent organising work)

Head to feministlibrary.co.uk/room-hires-and-tours to check out fees, community policy, and submit your proposal

and then wait TWO WEEKS to hear back

Address

161 Sumner Road
London
SE156JL

Opening Hours

Tuesday 11am - 5pm
Wednesday 11am - 5pm
Thursday 11am - 5pm
Friday 11am - 5pm
Saturday 1pm - 4pm

Telephone

+442072610879

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