Glasgow Women's Library

Introduction

Glasgow Women’s Library is the only Accredited Museum in the UK dedicated to women’s lives, histories and achievements, with a lending library, archive collections and innovative programmes of public events & learning opportunities.

Plan Your Visit

Warm Welcome

GWL is open to all, free, and friendly!

Amongs the GWL shelves, a woman sits reading a book, wile another stands browsing the shelves.

We are a Library

From pioneering artists, explorers and political activists to fiction and poetry from Scotland and around the world, our lending library will have something to spark your curiosity.

Not sure where to start? Explore our Reading Ideas.

We are an Archive

Our collections are an invaluable and unique resource, which provide vital evidence of women’s achievements, culture and lives.

Get a taste of our collections in one of our Open Archive events.

We are a Museum

From the smallest protest badge to artworks embedded in the fabric of our building, our collections reflect the multi-faceted experiences of women past and present.

Explore highlights from our collections in our online exhibitions.

We are an Art Space

GWL has worked with artists from our earliest days in a storefront in Garnethill, supporting creatives to make ground-breaking work informed by our rich collection and the diverse communities that contribute to our vision of a world in which every woman is able to fulfil her potential.

Find out more about our work with artists.

We are a Learning Space

Learning is at the heart of everything we do, from helping women with their reading, writing and numbers to sharing our expertise and experience in addressing inequalities.

Find out about Learning at GWL

Get Involved

There are lots of ways to get involved at GWL, from borrowing books and attending events, to volunteering and helping to develop projects.

Find out how to get involved

Workshop attendees in discussion at a workshop about how to protest
What's on at GWL
What's on at GWL
Explore our events calendar
Support our work
Support our work

GWL has always grown with the help of our supporters

Find out how you can help
Volunteer at GWL
Volunteer at GWL

Volunteers are involved in all aspects of our work, learning new skills and enriching our organisation with their ideas and enthusiasm.

Find out more about volunteering
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GWL's building in Landressy Street, bright sunlight making the blond sandstone walls and columns glow

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    This is who we are

    GWL’s work is rooted in our vision, mission and values, celebrating the lives and achievements of women and addressing the gender gap that contributes to widespread inequalities in Scotland.

    Find out about how we work

    Addressing Inequalities
    Addressing Inequalities

    Addressing inequalities is integral to the history and culture of Glasgow Women’s Library

    Find out how we address inequalities
    Caring For Our Environment
    Caring For Our Environment

    Care for our environment is built into everything we do at GWL

    Find out how we care for our environment
    Learning at GWL
    Learning at GWL

    Learning is at the heart of Glasgow Women's Library's work

    Find out more about learning at GWL
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    Today at GWL

    Pastel illustration of a young girl holding a baby in her arms

    Kate Downie: Conversations with Joan

    Thursday, 12th September, 2024 to Saturday, 25th January, 2025

    Drawn to the possibilities left open by Joan Eardley’s last, incomplete, painting Two Children (1962), artist Kate Downie is debuting her recreated and completed version of Eardley’s iconic painting alongside other new works that explore childhood, sibling relationships, care and creativity.

    Hands clasped

    Rayna Carruthers: While We Wait

    Tuesday, 7th January, 10:30am to Saturday, 29th March, 4:00pm

    An exhibition of a portrait series focusing on the stories of women who are refugees in Jordan awaiting resettlement to North America or Europe.

    Collaged scene featuring an armchair, telephone, and pieces of text.

    Please Leave a Message: Creating Space with Writing

    Thursday, 16th January to Saturday, 22nd March

    After a year of exploring creative writing, the Free Writing Society invites you to experience the peaceful and connecting space they've discovered through writing and sharing.

    Upcoming events

    Collaged scene featuring an armchair, telephone, and pieces of text.

    Please Leave A Message Writing Workshop

    Saturday, 25th January, 2:00pm

    As part of the exhibition Please Leave A Message, the Free Writing Society from Glasgow School of Art are running free writing workshops both online and at Glasgow Women’s Library.

    ten women stand in a line, smiling at the camera in Glasgow Women's Library. They are smiling at the camera and holding books. Some of them wear headscarves and some don't.

    Reading Group for Muslim Women

    Monday, 27th January, 10:30am

    The Reading Group for Muslim Women brings together women interested in books written by Muslim women or with a focus on women’s issues. 

    Conversation Café

    Wednesday, 29th January, 12:30pm

    If you are new to speaking English or fancy a cuppa and a chat, this event is perfect for you!