Glasgow Women's Library

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.

Artemisia Visits Glasgow Women's Library
We’re delighted that GWL is the first pop-up venue for Artemisia Gentileschi's Self Portrait as Saint Catherine of Alexandria as it makes its way on a 'grand tour' from the National Gallery.
Decoding Inequality Online Exhibition
The objects in the Decoding Inequality exhibition have been chosen from our museum and archive collections to reflect the nature of inequality and how it is experienced.
Spring Programme Out Now!
Browse events on our website, download a pdf programme or have a listen to our audio version to find out all about events and projects happening this season.
Ruth Barker & Hannah Leighton-Boyce Exhibition
Experience inspiring commissions by artists Ruth Barker and Hannah Leighton-Boyce, as well as new writing by Jackie Kay developed in response to the artists’ works. Open from 1st February - 23rd March.
#WomanOfTheWeek
Follow our new campaign called #WomanOfTheWeek. Each week we will focus on a new, important, historical female writer and post about her and her work.
Be Our Friend
Knowing that you can change someone’s life for the better is a powerful thing. As a Friend, and from as little as £2 per month, you can ensure that our work continues now and for future generations, and develops in new directions.

Get involved with GWL

Join the Library

Joining the library is easy and completely free! As a Library member, you can borrow books from our lending library, get monthly updates about what's on, and book onto events easily through the website.

Volunteer at GWL

Lend your skills to GWL, or learn new skills working alongside the GWL Team

Come to one of our many events!

You can find out what's coming up in our events calendar, or explore our projects to find out more about all our work.

The Library's new home in Bridgeton

Looking to the future

Our beautiful building

Our major renovation project has now been completed, with a beautiful events venue, a custom-built archive storage space, and a gorgeous lift providing access to our top floor.

Women on the Shelf initiative

Sponsor a Library section, shelf or book and dedicate it to a woman of your choice, building a living tribute to remarkable women and raising funds towards the refurbishment costs still needed to complete the transformation of GWL’s permanent new home in Bridgeton.

Become a Friend

Knowing that you can change someone’s life for the better is a powerful thing. As a Friend, and from as little as £2 per month, you can ensure that our work continues now and for future generations, and develops in new directions.

Other News from the Library

#FlashFictionFriday – Artemisia inspires!
There is a palpable air of excitement here at the library as this self portrait by Artemisia Gentileschi as Saint Catherine of Alexandria is here. More information about the exhibition can be found here: https://womenslibrary.org.uk/event/artemisia/ Artemisia Gentileschi was born in Rome in 1593. Despite an eventful life, which included being raped at 17, enduring an arduous […]
Happy International Women’s Day – From the Heart
In the 26 years I’ve been involved, there’s not much I haven’t found myself doing for Glasgow Women’s Library. Through love, through necessity, but always with a profound belief in GWL’s potential in transforming the lives of women for the better. Like many women’s and other equalities organisations, GWL grew from the grass-roots: founded and […]

Featured Pages

Heritage Walks

Women's Heritage Walks

Join our tour guides to explore the hidden histories of women across Glasgow, pick up one of our Women's Heritage Walk maps, or download one of our Audio Tours.

Help with reading, writing and numbers

We can help you brush up on skills such as filling out forms, working out bills or essay writing.

Venue Hire

We pride ourselves on our warm welcome and this extends to all of the events that take place within our building. Find out more here about holding your event at GWL.

Reading Ideas

Looking for a good book? Whether you're looking for the latest arrivals, or something to inspire you, staff and library users have lots of recommendations to get you started.

Be Inspired!

GWL offers bespoke workshops, training, events and learning programmes, delivered by Glasgow Women’s Library’s expert learning and collections teams, for groups and organisations across Scotland.

Social Media