The FrauenGenderBibliothek Saar (Library for Women’s and Gender Studies Saar)
was founded in Saarbrücken in 1990 in an effort to document and institutionalise the work of the women’s rights movement. Initially a project without any funds – but with a lot of enthusiasm for feminist activism and research – supported by a German government scheme, it has developed into a highly respected specialised library and documentation centre for women’s and gender studies.
Thanks to public funding from the federal government of Saarland and the city of Saarbrücken, it has been possible to build up a collection of 15,000 books, a database with around 30,000 indexed documents, and 85 metres of shelving with grey literature (as of 2024). The FrauenGenderBibliothek Saar is run by highly qualified staff and has established professional contacts with more than 40 similar institutions at national and international level.
The FrauenGenderBibliothek Saar sees itself as part of a movement to
facilitate the dialogue between feminist researchers, scholars, and activists, and the general public. We collect and catalogue literature on women’s and gender studies, as well as fiction by women authors, and make these resources available to the public.
The FrauenGenderBibliothek Saar offers literature on the following topics
the history of the women’s movement; feminism; women’s and gender studies; lesbian, queer and trans studies; feminist and queer politics, culture, literature, and art; women’s work and careers; gender-based violence; feminist legal studies, social sciences, and natural sciences, women’s continuing education, lifestyles, and socialisation; girls as well as older women; feminist and queer media and language; bodies and sexuality.
We also offer fiction across all genres written by female, genderqueer, and non-binary authors.
The resources available at the FrauenGenderBibliothek Saar include
reference books, encyclopaedias, dictionaries, bibliographies, women’s magazines and newspapers, feminist journals, audio-visual material, women’s films (video) and general archival material (posters, flyers, buttons, etc.).
The regional archive of the FrauenGenderBibliothek Saar
represents the collective memory of women in the border region of Saarland. It collects documents on the history and present situation of women and the regional women’s rights movement. As a joint project with the equal opportunities commission of the city of Saarbrücken, it traces the lives and struggles of women in the region and offers a series of comprehensive publications on regional women’s history as well as guided city tours about the lives of famous but also lesser known women in Saarbrücken.
The FrauenGenderBibliothek Saar also offers
information on a variety of women’s and gender issues:
Research can be carried out in the database of the FrauenGenderBibliothek as well as in other online databases. We assist journalists, teachers, politicians, students, researchers, historians and avid readers in finding the specific literature/information they need.
The FrauenGenderBibliothek Saar organises
a range of public events on feminist topics: lectures, readings, seminars, conferences, exhibitions, and more.
MiNET Saar – Supporting migrant women
Migrant women are often highly qualified but might need help in navigating the intricacies of the German labour market. Our mentoring network MiNET Saar is based on a simple yet successful idea: Opening our personal and professional networks to migrant women. Since 2011 we have been building a network of volunteers from various professional backgrounds who share their expertise and contacts in order to open doors for migrant women in Saarland. Establishing a personal relationship and trust between mentor and mentee helps to boost self-confidence and facilitates integration as well as mutual understanding. MiNET now has around 100 mentors and has matched them with many more mentees.
If you would like to get involved, either as a mentor or a mentee, please email us at minet-saar@frauengenderbibliothek-saar.de or call Dr Eva Nita: 0681-9388024.
The FrauenGenderBibliothek Saar newsletter
is published monthly and will keep you posted about the activities of the library.
Find us on social media
For more information, follow us on Facebook (Frauengenderbibliothek Saar) and Instagram (frauengenderbibliothek_saar).
The FrauenGenderBibliothek 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 for reading and studying, a photocopier/scanner, and a section with recent issues of feminist journals. Public internet access is available.
The FrauenGenderBibliothek Saar needs your support!
Public funds, as well as membership fees and research fees contribute to our budget, but this doesn’t cover all our expenses. That’s why we need further support through private sponsoring.
If you would like to support us:
– You can become a member of the „frauenbibliothek e.V.“ association
– You can become an official sponsor
– You can donate money to
frauenbibliothek e.V.
Sparkasse Saarbrücken
IBAN: DE80 5905 0101 0000 7027 04
BIC: SAKSDE55XXX
Address:
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