The WomenGenderLibrary Saar
in Saarbrücken was established in 1990 as part of general developments towards the institutionalisation of the women`s movement. Initially a project without means but lots of enthusiasm and feminist research competence, supported by a German job creation scheme, it evolved into a highly esteemed specialized library and women`s studies documentation center. Through public funding by the regional government and the city of Saarbrücken, it was possible to build up a collection of 15.000 books, a database with around 30.000 indexed documents (2024), 85 meters of shelving with grey materials, highly-trained employees and professional contacts to more than 40 similar institutions on a national and international level.
The WomenGenderLibrary Saar sees herself as part of a movement
facilitating the dialogue between feminist research/Women`s/Gender Studies and the women`s movement, as well as between feminist academia and feminist professionals and the public. Literature on women`s studies in general as well as fictional works by female authors are collected, systematized and thereby made accessible to the public.
The WomenGenderLibrary Saar offers literature on the following topics:
women`s movement, herstory, feminism, women`s and gender studies, lesbian women, politics, women`s work, careers, culture and art, violence against women, law, social sciences, natural sciences, further education, lifestyles, socialisation, girls, older women, media, language, women`s bodies, sexuality.
We also offer international fiction (novels, poetry, detective novels, cartoons) exclusively by women authors.
The resource section of the WomenGenderLibrary Saar contains:
reference books, encyclopedias, dictionaries, bibliographies, women`s journals and newspapers, feminist professional journals, audiovisual material, women`s movies (video) and general archival material (posters, flyers, buttons).
The Regional Archives of the WomenGenderLibrary Saar
develop as collective memory of women in the border province of Saarland. They collect documents on the herstory and present situation of women and the regional women`s movement. A joint project with the Equal Opportunities Commission of the city of Saarbrücken traces women`s lives and fights in this area and features a number of extensive publications on regional women`s history as well as guided city tours tracing the lives of famous and unknown women in Saarbrücken.
The WomenGenderLibrary Saar information services
offer information on most women`s and gender issues as well as specialized electronic topics on feminist/women-oriented research for professional needs. Research can be conducted in the database of the Women`s Library as well as in other/also foreign databases via the Internet. We help journalists, teachers, politicians, students, researchers, historians and avid readers to find the specific literature/information on women`s and gender issues they need.
The event section of the WomenGenderLibrary Saar
organizes public functions on feminist issues: lectures, readings, seminars, conferences, exhibitions.
MiNET Saar – we open doors for immigrant women!
Our mentoring network for qualified immigrant women is a simple idea with stunning results. Immigrant women are often highly qualified and interested in finding adequate employment, but they lack knowledge about specific requirements of the German labor market and have no personal networks.
Therefore in 2011 we started a network of women volunteers from all vocational backgrounds willing to support immigrant women in Saarland. The personal relationship between mentor and mentee helps to develop trust and self-confidence and facilitates easier integration into the foreign way of life and work. Personal and vocational networks of the mentor open even more doors for the mentee. We continuously match women with appropriate mentors from our network. By now MiNET comprises roundabout 100 mentors and has supported many more mentees.
If you want to participate, either as mentor or mentee, please write us per email:
minet-saar@frauengenderbibliothek-saar.de or call Dr. Eva Nita +49 (0) 681-9388024.
The WomenGenderLibrary Saar newsletter
is published monthly and covers information on the activities of the library. You can oder it here.
Find us on social media
For more information follow us on Facebook (Frauengenderbibliothek Saar) and Instagram (frauengenderbibliothek_saar).
The WomenGenderLibrary Saar is open
Tuesday 10 am – 5 pm, Wednesday 10 am – 2 pm, Thursday 2 pm – 7 pm, Friday 10 am – 2 pm.
There are quiet areas to read and study, a fotocopier/scanner, a section with the latest feminist journals. Public Internet access is available.
The WomenGenderLibrary Saar needs your support!
Part of our funding derives from public sources. Membership fees and research charges add to the budget. But this doesn’t cover all of our expenses. Therefore we require further support by means of private sponsoring.
If you would like to support the WomenGenderLibrary Saar :
- You may become a member of the association „frauenbibliothek e.V.“
- You may become an official sponsor
You may donate Please make donations to:
frauenbibliothek e.V.
Sparkasse Saarbrücken
IBAN: DE80 5905 0101 0000 7027 04
BIC: SAKSDE55XXX
Adress:
FrauenGenderBibliothek Saar
Großherzog-Friedrich-Straße 111
D – 66121 Saarbrücken
Phone +49-681-93 88 023
Fax +49-681-93 88 025
e-mail: info(at)frauengenderbibliothek-saar.de
Facebook: Frauengenderbibliothek Saar
Instagram: frauengenderbibliothek_saar