The Unison-led Save the Women’s Library campaign has condemned proposals to remove the collection from its purpose-built building in Aldgate, claiming it would reduce access for the wider community.
The London Metropolitan University is seeking a new custodian for the library, as part of plans to save £1m.
A selection committee met last month to consider a bid from the London School of Economics (LSE), which would involve the collection transferring to a new home.
Save the Women’s Library has criticised London Met for allowing the collection to be separated from the building, despite previously pledging to try to keep them together.
June Purvis, a professor of women’s and gender history at the University of Portsmouth, said the bidding process was “a national scandal that merits an enquiry”.
Sheila Hanlon, who curated Cycling to Suffrage at the Women’s Library, said: “If [LSE’s] bid is successful, the collection will be transferred to its main library and the Women’s Library building will close. This has serious consequences not just for the collection and staff, but also for access and community work.”
There are also fears that if the building is sold, the Heritage Lottery Fund could look to claw back some of its investment.
London Met was unavailable for comment.
Update: 01/10/2012
The London Met announced it had approved LSE's proposal on 28 September. An updated story can be read here.
The London Metropolitan University is seeking a new custodian for the library, as part of plans to save £1m.
A selection committee met last month to consider a bid from the London School of Economics (LSE), which would involve the collection transferring to a new home.
Save the Women’s Library has criticised London Met for allowing the collection to be separated from the building, despite previously pledging to try to keep them together.
June Purvis, a professor of women’s and gender history at the University of Portsmouth, said the bidding process was “a national scandal that merits an enquiry”.
Sheila Hanlon, who curated Cycling to Suffrage at the Women’s Library, said: “If [LSE’s] bid is successful, the collection will be transferred to its main library and the Women’s Library building will close. This has serious consequences not just for the collection and staff, but also for access and community work.”
There are also fears that if the building is sold, the Heritage Lottery Fund could look to claw back some of its investment.
London Met was unavailable for comment.
Update: 01/10/2012
The London Met announced it had approved LSE's proposal on 28 September. An updated story can be read here.
