Ever been stumped as to how to freshen up your fiction reading? Or wanted to explore classic feminist texts, but don’t have a clue where to start? Then Glasgow Women’s Library Browsing Hour could be just the thing for you.
We held a Browsing Hour as part of our National Library Day celebrations last week. Wendy (our amazing librarian) put out a display of books on our big table, we got the tea urn all fired up, magicked up some cakes and bikkies, then waited for our browsers to arrive.
And arrive they did. It was a treat to meet women who’d ventured in to Glasgow Women’s Library for a first tentative visit, to chat with them about what they might be interested in, to give them a tour of our shelves. Though I have to admit, even after being Reader in Residence for four months there’s so much I still have to get round to familiarising myself with. The Spirituality section, for example. And the books on Art.
At the moment I’m at last reading Simone de Beauvoir’s The Second Sex, and on the fiction side I’ve just started Doris Lessing’s The Golden Notebook. Both classics from the middle of the twentieth century, both texts that had a huge impact on influencing the start of second wave feminism, and ultimately many of the rights and freedoms many women benefit from today.
The thing about The Browsing Hour is that you can take it at your own pace. If you see a book that catches your eye, you can sit down, have a cuppa and a wee read, see if it takes your fancy.
To our surprise and delight we welcomed a young man to our Browsing Hour too.
Okay, so he’s only eight weeks old, but so cuddly! And he behaved impeccably. Enough to make even post-menopausal me go all broody.
And here’s the good news. Wendy and I were so pleased with our first GWL Browsing Hour together and the great response we had, that we’ve decided to repeat it on Wednesday 13th March. It’s from 1 – 3pm (3 hours for the price of 1!) And even better – it’s free.
So why not get the date in your diary and come and join us?
Or if you’d love to come to a Browsing Hour but that time doesn’t suit, then let us know what would suit you. We can’t promise anything, but we’re always willing to listen and do our best. You can leave a comment below or email me on magi.gibson@womenslibrary.org.uk
Remember too that you can come in and browse any time the library is open. You’ll still get offered that cuppa, and Wendy or myself might well be there to help answer your questions. It’s easy-peasy to become a member and get your GWL Borrowing Card. After all, every woman should have one.
It’s your Women’s Library, so please do come in and feel at home. Those books are just waiting to be read!
Magi
ps f you’d like to receive an email letting you know when there’s a new post then subscribe by email here. Or get notification in your RSS reader of choice here. Please share with friends too!
