Working Class Movement Library

Can a library be more than just books? At the Working Class Movement Library, the answer is a resounding yes. The Working Class Movement Library, nestled in Salford, Greater Manchester, isn’t just a repository of books. It’s a living testament to the struggles, triumphs, and creativity of working people throughout history. This unique institution began in the 1950s as the personal collection of two activists, Eddie and Ruth Frow. Imagine their home, overflowing with books, pamphlets, and periodicals. They recognized the importance of preserving the stories of everyday people. Their passion project grew, and by 1964, it had gained charitable trust status as the Working Class Movement Library. In 1987, Salford City Council offered the burgeoning library a new home in Jubilee House. This beautiful Victorian building, a former nurses’ home built in 1897, provided the perfect setting for this extraordinary collection. The Working Class Movement Library holds over 30,000 books, countless journals, pamphlets, banners, and even pottery. It paints a vivid picture of working-class life. You’ll find information on trade unions. You can explore the history of political campaigns. You can delve into the cultural expressions of working people through art, literature, and music. The library’s collection includes materials related to the Peterloo Massacre, the Chartist movement, the women’s suffrage campaign, and the 1984-85 Miners’ Strike. The Working Class Movement Library doesn’t just tell the story of the past. It continues to collect materials relevant to contemporary working-class movements. It’s a place of ongoing dialogue, where the struggles of the past inform the activism of the present. The Working Class Movement Library invites you to explore the rich tapestry of working-class history. It offers a unique and inspiring glimpse into the lives of those who have shaped our world.