Women's Library

The Women's Library is a specialized collection in London with more than 60,000 items focusing on women's rights and social change. The archive holds books, periodicals, photographs, and organizational documents housed within the London School of Economics.

The archive grew from a private collection started in 1909 and became an independent institution in 1926. Its holdings expanded from the work of the London Society for Women's Suffrage and document women's movements across decades.

The collection documents key moments and figures from women's movements, featuring materials from prominent activists across different eras. Visitors gain direct insight into the personal stories of women who fought for change through these records.

The collection is housed in the Lionel Robbins Building at LSE and offers study spaces as well as digital access to resources. Researchers find specialized storage areas here and can view many materials online, making access flexible for different needs.

The suffrage archives received UNESCO UK Memory of the World recognition in 2011 for documenting women's voting rights. This international acknowledgment reflects how important the holdings are to understanding this movement globally.

Location: City of Westminster

Inception: 1926

Part of: British Library of Political and Economic Science

Address: London School of Economics, 10 Portugal Street

Phone: +442079557229

Email: library.enquiries@lse.ac.uk

Website: http://lse.ac.uk/library/collection-highlights/The-Womens-Library

GPS coordinates: 51.51470,-0.11582

Latest update: December 10, 2025 15:50