Tour of the Women’s History Library

Atop 108 West Palisades Avenue in Englewood is “A Room of Her Own” for women. With many large windows, the penthouse sanctuary offers visitors a quite reading and research room with Internet service, a printer, a copier, a typewriter, a comfortable table with cushioned seating. Best of all, there are more than 2000 books about women’s history, most available for checkout.

The largest share of the collection consists of biographies and autobiographies of notable woman – perhaps half the collection. Among these are a selection of female autobiographies and biographies geared for young readers. There are individual autobiographies and biographies, and biographies in United States, international and New Jersey groups. Arts & Letters categories include collections of letters by women, notable nonfiction writing by women, feminist literary and other criticism, notable novels by women, fiction anthologies of women’s writing, poetry written by women, women humorists, books about women artists, and books on women in music.

A collection of compact discs, records, and cassette tapes featuring female musicians is being developed. A record player, compact disc player and cassette player are available for use in the library; a set of earphones is on hand as well. Movies, both DVD and VCR, produced and directed by women, or written by women are on hand as well, though no players are on site as yet.Theory, philosophy, and analysis of women’s history is featured under many other subject headings: feminist theory, modern feminist theory collections, sociopolitical studies, gender roles, psychology, sexuality, lesbian & gay, religion, violence education, labor, women in profession, African-American women, international. Social, Cultural, Feminist.

History is highlighted in these subject headings: social & culture history, history of feminism, history of suffrage, 19th and early 20th century writings. Health and Family is covered in these sections: Health and pregnancy / abortion / family. Non-circulating categories are: reference, rare, government and magazines. There is also an alphabetical subject file full of clippings and pamphlets.The Library offers many delights.

For a free tour please call the Center @ 201.568.1166

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