London’s iconic Feminist Library is set to open this January

After raising thousands through their successful crowdfunding campaign, London’s Feminist Library has opened in Peckham.

Last year we wrote about London’s Feminist Library crowdfunding campaign to raise money from the community to help with their relocation from Lambeth (where they have been for 44 years) due to a rent increase into Peckham. Their target was £48k but thanks to the generosity of hundreds of supporters they raised £65k! Insane. Which means they got themselves a brand new home in Peckham - how cool is that for Peckham?!

The Feminist library now has a 25-year lease in its new location at Sojourner Truth Centre where it can continue to thrive. The library in 1975 by a small group of passionate volunteers, at the height of the Women’s Liberation Movement, to collect and preserve what has become one of the most important collections of feminist material in the UK.

As well as having over 5,000 books, periodicals and zines in arts, politics, health and women’s history The Feminist Library is also an autonomous feminist community space. As noted on their website, “the library is trans-inclusive, welcomes visitors of any gender, does not require registration or membership” a perfect place for everyone to explore feminism.

Their new space in Peckham at the Sojourner Truth Community Centre which will open later this month (Jan 2020) is named after famous African American activist and abolitionist - there is a commemorative Sojourner Truth plaque which sits on the outside of the building.

The Feminist Library is run solely by volunteers and even though they raised money for the move, they don’t have a reliable source of income for their running costs. So, if you are in a position to do so, you can join their Shero Friends Scheme by donating £3 a month in exchange for a few perks!

Sojourner Truth Community Centre 161 Sumner Road, 161 Sumner Road, London, SE15 6JL

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