A study of female friendliness in library spaces and services
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Date
2025-04-07
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Central Department of library and Information Science,T.U.Kirtipur.
Abstract
A thesis entitled, “A Study of Female Friendliness in Library Spaces And
Services” adopts a qualitative approach in examining the safety, comfort, and
accessibility of library spaces to female patrons and specifically feminist libraries.
The goal of the study is to elucidate how feminist libraries meet the personal needs of
women for their environment, services, and policies. Female library users were
interviewed with the goal of gathering qualitative data on their perception, experience,
and expectations about the library environment. Moreover, observational checklists
were used in order to evaluate the physical surroundings, safety components, and the
services offered to women.
Female users found the library to be a safe and welcoming space, supported by
security features, courteous staff, and a home-like atmosphere with comfortable
seating and quiet zones. They appreciated gender-sensitive programs such as feminist
writing workshops and career development sessions, which catered specifically to
women’s needs. The presence of a female librarian and clear harassment reporting
policies further enhanced their sense of security and ease. Users valued the library’s
strong focus on feminist literature and mental health resources but identified gaps in
materials on South Asian feminism, intersectionality, and women in STEM. Regular
feedback collection and staff training on gender sensitivity helped ensure the library
remained inclusive, responsive, and empowering for its female patrons.
Lastly, the study concludes that although feminist libraries are a treasure trove of
resources and a haven for women, there are areas where improvement can be brought
about in terms of increasing collections, increased accessibility for differently-abled
individuals, and improved security features. The study offers recommendations for
improvement in these areas to enable libraries to cater to women from diverse socio
cultural backgrounds. This study contributes to the library's contribution in the
promotion of gender equality, providing a safe haven, and the empowerment of
women through resource and information accessibility.
Keywords: Libraries-Women, Library services, Special libraries
Description
This thesis written about female friendliness in libraries
Keywords
1 Libraries women 2 Libraries services and 3 Special libraries
Citation
Ghimire,Sabina(2025). A study of female friendliness in library spaces and services.[Master's thesis T.U].https://elibrary.tucdlis.edu.np/