Patron-perpetrated sexual harassment (PPSH) towards librarians is an under-researched but indicatively critical area of sexual harassment studies and library studies. Preliminary research indicates that PPSH results from numerous overlapping social structures. These social structures include but are not limited to patriarchy and rape culture, white supremacy, feminised labour and service work. This dissertation is the first study on PPSH towards librarians in the United Kingdom (UK) and focuses on public librarians. 143 UK public librarians were surveyed about their experiences of PPSH over the past five years. The results of this survey indicate that PPSH is ‘part of the job’ for UK public librarians.

This dissertation explores the management and development of libraries at women’s colleges in Oxford This study examines the colleges established for women students between 1879 and 1920: Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford; Somerville College, Oxford; St Hilda’s College, Oxford; and St Hugh’s College, Oxford. These colleges were founded to allow women to study in Oxford, but women were not permitted to become members of the University of Oxford until 1920. Consequently, most of the academic provision for students, including library access, was provided by colleges and the Association for Promoting the Education of Women. This study analyses contemporary documentary evidence to learn how the libraries were staffed and their collections developed, allowing us to gain a greater understanding of the history of women’s college libraries.