The Women's Library's collections are designated by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council as collections of outstanding national and international importance. 

The collections document women's lives through the ages and touch on every aspect of women's lives from women's rights, suffrage, sexuality, health, education, employment, feminism, reproductive rights to the the family, and the home. The emphasis is primarily on women in Britain, but some international material is included. The Sadd Brown Trust Fund  has supported the specific inclusion of materials related to women in the commonwealth.

See our source notes for further details about the range of materials available in the Library on specific subjects.

The collections are composed of:

• printed materials (books, periodocals, press cuttings, ephemera and also audio-visual) which date back to the 16th century. For more information click here

• archives (personal or organisational papers and oral histories) which largely document campaigns that women have instigated to around issues related to women lives from the 19th century to present day.  For more information click here

• museum collections (objects, textiles and visual materials) with date back to the 18th century. For more information click here.

To explore the explore the collections search the catalogues

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If you wish to donate material see our procedures