Guild libraries

I often find that some of my best thinking time is in the early morning when I wish I was still asleep. This morning my mind drifted towards my guild’s excellent library. I have spent time there, trawling through books, particularly trying to identify stitches that I’ve seen on historical works, trying to identify their name (in any language – doesn’t have to be English!)

I’m a member of the Embroiderers Guild of NSW, and we have an excellent library, with many books on various textile and design related subjects. I have no idea how many books that are in it, but there are many! There are enough to fill a good sized room, with shelving space to grow into. There are desks at which quiet study can be made. This is the main library at the guild headquarters. I expect most of the guild groups also have their own informal book collections too.

Photo by mentatdgt from Pexels. (Not of the library at the Embroiderers Guild NSW!)

And so I was wondering if you’d like to tell me about your guild’s library. Does it have an excellent selection of books that are a wonderful resource for you? What are its strengths? What do you wish it had that it doesn’t have? Is it easily accessible to members (and non-members)?
Are there are guild libraries or textile museum libraries that you’ve visited that you found particularly helpful or of note?

Just a word of caution: Libraries often hold special and valuable copies of books. I’m not expecting for you to tell me about anything that could cause security issues!

If you happen to be the librarian or book collection custodian for your guild library, perhaps you would consider contacting me, because I’d love to interview you about your library!

Some years ago with help from many people, I put together a listing of textile museum collections that were searchable online. I’ve found it to be a very useful list that I go back to again and again. If there’s enough interest, perhaps I could put together a textile library list too.