Jessie Street National Women's Library facts for kids

The Jessie Street National Women's Library is a special library in Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia. It holds many interesting things like books, music, and photographs. All these items are about the history of women in Australia.

This library was started in 1989. Its main goal was to make it easier to find information about women's history. Sometimes, it can be harder to find these stories compared to other types of history. The library is named after an important Australian woman called Jessie Street.

Some people who helped start the library by donating money include Jessie Street's son, Laurence Street, along with Elizabeth Evatt, Judith Wright, and Oodgeroo Noonuccal. The library has a huge collection of items. These include books, papers, writings, and recordings. They cover topics like women's organizations and famous Australian women.

About the Jessie Street National Women's Library

This unique library focuses on collecting and keeping stories about women. It helps people learn about the amazing things women have done in Australia. You can find out about their lives, their work, and their achievements.

What You Can Find There

The library has a wide range of materials. You can explore over 10,000 books. There are also 132 special collections of old papers and documents. These collections include journals, oral histories (recorded interviews), and sound recordings. You can also see old photographs, pamphlets, and posters.

All these items help tell the story of women. They show how women have helped shape Australia. It's a great place for students and anyone curious about history.

Who Was Jessie Street?

The library is named after Jessie Street (1889–1970). She was a very important Australian woman. Jessie Street worked hard for equal rights for women. She also cared deeply about peace and human rights.

She helped create the United Nations. She also pushed for changes in Australia's laws. Her work made a big difference for women and for the country. Naming the library after her honors her legacy. It also reminds us of the ongoing journey for equality.

Visiting the Library

The Jessie Street National Women's Library is open to everyone. You can visit to do research or just to learn. If you become a member, you can even borrow books from their lending collection. It's a valuable resource for learning about Australia's past.

Images for kids

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  Exterior view of Jessie Street National Women's Library

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  Interior view of Jessie Street National Women's Library