The document titled "Knjižnica Mesta žensk" outlines the collection development policy for the City of Women Library. Its primary aim is to establish a systematic, transparent approach to building the library's collection and providing other informational resources. This policy aligns with the mission of the City of Women Association, relevant legislation, standards, recommendations, and professional ethical codes.
Legal Provisions, Standards, and Professional Recommendations:
The policy references several legal and professional guidelines, including:
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Library Act (UL RS 87/2001, 96/2002 – ZUJIK and 92/2015)
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Act on the Realization of Public Interest in Culture (UL RS, No. 77/2007 - UPB-1, 56/2008, 94/2009, 4/2010)
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Associations Act (UL RS No. 61/2006)
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Statute of the City of Women Association
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Regulations on Conditions for Performing Library Activities as a Public Service (UL RS, No. 73/03, 70/08, 80/12)
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Professional Recommendations and Standards for Special Libraries: (26.11.2018–25.11.2028) (National Council for Library Activity, 2018)
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Decree on Basic Library Services (UL RS, No. 29/2003)
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Instructions for the Removal and Write-off of Library Material (NUK, 31.1.2013)
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Guidelines for a Collection Development Policy (IFLA, 2001)
Criteria for Material Selection:
The library focuses on materials that foster dialogue between feminism, art, culture, science, theory, and everyday political life. Emphasis is placed on works by contemporary female and gender-nonconforming artists, researchers, and activists. The collection includes:
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Classical and modern feminist texts by authors like Silvia Federici and Simone de Beauvoir.
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Analyses critiquing capitalist and neoliberal societies, especially concerning the re-patriarchalization post-transition and its impact on feminist movements in Slovenia.
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Discussions on feminist issues and challenges of post-socialist transition, including topics like war, violence, and neoliberal development consequences.
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Historical overviews of feminist and LGBTQ+ activism.
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Reviews and catalogs of female visual and theater artists, feminist film criticism, and critiques of visual arts challenging the patriarchal artistic canon.
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Works addressing the male gaze and the objectification of the female body.
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Critiques of capitalism, focusing on the precarity of female artists, as discussed by authors like Bojana Kunst.
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Film, theater, and visual arts theories intersecting with feminism, predominantly authored by women.
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Decolonial feminist discourse materials, including topics like racialization, migration policies, discrimination, and issues specific to Slovenia.
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Research on women's mental health, violence against women, and sex work.
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Queer and feminist pedagogy publications.
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Fiction by female, lesbian, and other gender-nonconforming authors, emphasizing minority voices and diverse narratives.
Periodicals:
The library houses journals such as Maska, Delta, Borec, and Emzin, along with international publications focusing on art, community practices, capitalism critique, and feminism.
Vision:
The City of Women Library aspires to preserve texts that collectively create a parallel canon of women's history ("Herstory"), connecting with artists from the former Yugoslavia, and maintaining a decolonial transfeminist discourse and critique of patriarchal, heteronormative capitalist society.
Donations:
Donations are a vital resource for enriching the library's collection. Potential donors are encouraged to contact the library via email at knjiznica@cityofwomen.org or info@cityofwomen.org, or visit the office at Metelkova 6 in Ljubljana.