Glasgow Women's Library
ENTRY
Free
SETTING
Indoors
WHERE
Glasgow
What it’s like
A free library and archive of women's history and writing, with comfy chairs, events and a genuinely open door.
This isn't a shush-and-tiptoe library. You wander in, browse the lending shelves of books by and about women, and settle into a comfy chair or a study table for as long as you like. There's an archive and museum collection too, though that side needs an appointment arranged in advance if you want to see anything not currently on display, so it's one for planning ahead rather than turning up on spec.
The events programme is the other reason to go: reading and writing groups, craft sessions, talks and discussions, some open to everyone and some pitched specifically at women. Men are welcome in the building and at most events, which the site is at pains to point out, so don't assume this one's off limits for dads bringing the kids along.
It's free to get in and free to become a borrower, which is rare enough these days to be worth saying twice. There's no café, but tea and coffee get offered to visitors, and it's free for groups under 15 or £1 a head for bigger ones if you're bringing a group along. Opening hours are a bit of a patchwork, short weekday afternoons, a longer Thursday stretch to 7pm, and just four hours on a Saturday.
Access is good once you're in, with lifts to the first floor, mezzanine and archive, and disabled toilets on both levels. The catch is getting there: Bridgeton station itself is only reachable by a long flight of stairs, so if you need step-free transport the plan is Dalmarnock station instead, about three quarters of a mile off. The front door is a heavy one too, but there's usually someone on hand to help with it.
Facilities
Need to know
- Parking
- On-street parking nearby. Do not park on pavement
- Food
- No café, but tea and coffee offered to visitors
- Picnics
- Groups welcome to bring food and drink to consume in designated areas if no other event taking place
- Wheelchairs
- Wheelchair accessible with lifts to first floor, mezzanine and archive
- Getting there by bus or train
- Bridgeton train station (low-level from Glasgow Central)
- No café on site, but tea and coffee are offered to visitors
- Quiet space is usually available in the upstairs gallery, though it can't always be guaranteed on busy days
- Groups can bring their own food and drink if there's no event on
- Spontaneous group meetings aren't accommodated, you need to book a space through their venue hire process
Plan your visit
Is it actually free to get in?
Yes, entry is free and you don't need to book or make an appointment just to visit and browse.
Is this only for women?
The library, its collections and most events are open to everyone, and plenty of members are men.
Can we just turn up, or do we need to book?
You can walk in during opening hours to browse and read. It's only the archive and museum collections not on display that need an appointment, arranged at least two weeks ahead.
What are the opening hours?
Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday it's 10am to 4.30pm, Thursday it stretches to 7pm, and Saturday is a shorter 12noon to 4pm.
Is there anywhere to eat?
There's no café, but tea and coffee are offered to visitors. Groups under 15 get it free, larger groups pay £1 a head.
Is it easy to get to with a buggy or wheelchair?
The building has lifts to the first floor, mezzanine and archive, with disabled toilets on both floors. The front door is heavy but staff are usually around to help.
What about parking?
There's on-street parking nearby. Don't park on the pavement, they're clear about that.
Can we get the train there?
Bridgeton is the nearest station but it's only accessible by a long flight of stairs. If step-free access matters, Dalmarnock station is about three quarters of a mile away instead.
Featured in 2 Huddlepin lists
See all Libraries in Glasgow · Things to do in Glasgow
MAKE A DAY OF IT
