A HOME-MADE face mask and a Black Lives Matter placard are helping a city library tell the stories of women’s lives in lockdown.

Despite having to close its doors in March because of the coronavirus outbreak, Glasgow Women’s Library’s museum and archive collections have continued to grow.

The Bridgeton library re-opened this week, with reduced hours, and a new exhibition, Collecting in the Time of Coronavirus.

Jenny Noble, GWL Museum Curator, said: “We believe collecting women’s accounts of coronavirus is critical.

“There is a vast array of perspectives on the pandemic to represent and record.”

A selection of the materials donated to GWL during the COVID-19 shutdown include a pair of photographic prints by journalist, broadcaster and film-maker Bidisha and a selection of Roller Derby shirts, donated by ex-London Rockin Rollers Skaters Hunter and Schazbot.

Also included are a selection of texts entitled ‘Documenting the new normal.’

Jenny explained: “Since lockdown began several of our volunteers have been sharing weekly reflections, diaries and creative writing. Each piece of writing provides a different perspective on the pandemic.”

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She added: “Thank you to all donors past, present and future. You help us develop our unique collections and document the lives of women across Scotland and around the world.”

Also new to Glasgow Women’s Library is a new ‘Book Bundles’ initiative.

From today (Wednesday, September 2) readers can request up to six books in advance as part of its Select and Collect lending service, and librarians will have them readyto be picked up.

As part of Book Bundles, librarians will select some titles based on a customer’s interests. For more information, visit the website at womenslibrary.org.uk

Collecting in the Time of Coronavirus runs until December 17.