The Sitting Room Library
The Sitting Room Library is a reading room and archive in Penngrove, California, US, that provides the community with access to women's literature and art. The Sitting Room focuses on the work of women, but its resources are open to anyone.
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History
Established in 1981 by June Farver, Jane Flood, Marylou Hadditt, Susan Miller, Karen Petersen, D.A. Powell, and J.J. Wilson.[1] At the time, Petersen and Wilson recognized the lack of access to literature and related publications and worked to create a library that would serve as a place for conversation and collections of books and resources.[2] The Sitting Room Library began in a rented office building in Cotati, California. In 2004, the library moved to a house in Penngrove.
Inspired by the Morrison Reading Room at the UC Berkeley University Library, the Sitting Room began as a place for women to gather, hold salons, and celebrate the cultural contributions of women artists and writers.[3] The library's collection of books began with donations provided by early visitors and volunteers and has expanded to over 7,000 titles.
References
- "The Sitting Room". Bohemian | Sonoma & Napa Counties. 2001-03-29. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
- "Penngrove's 'Sitting Room' stands up for literary women". Petaluma Argus-Courier. 2016-08-27. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
- "Reading Room: The Sitting Room Community Library". Bohemian | Sonoma & Napa Counties. 2020-03-04. Retrieved 2023-10-12.