Ask a Librarian
The library is at the Secular Hall, 75 Humberstone Gate, Leicester LE1 1WB, UK and is free to use of Leicester Secular Society members.
The Secular Society Library is at least 150 years old and began when the Secular Society first occupied premises on Humberstone Gate. This was before the Secular Hall was built in 1879. Trade directories for 1875 & 1878 refer to the Secular Club And Institute, Free Thought Book Store, Library and Reading Room, at 77 Humberstone Gate.
When the Secular Hall was completed in 1881, it featured a book shop, (75 Humberstone Gate) a reading room and a library, whose book cases lined the Clubroom. A gift of £100 from a Mr Coltman, (a Roman Catholic supporter!) led to the purchase of many books.
In 1885, the Reading Room and Library were thrown open to the public and was the first library in Leicester to open on Sundays. This was intended to put pressure on the authorities to open the free-library, museum and art gallery on Sundays. Councillor Butcher (A LSS member) remarked that it was:
“a great shame that people who were unable to visit the libraries and reading rooms on weekdays should be denied access to them on Sundays, when they had time to attend. They were robbing the people of a right which they ought to possess, and he trusted the time was not far distant when they should have both the Museum and Free Libraries opened on Sundays.”
In 1914, the library reverted to being a members only library. The collection has been updated over the years and has specialised in books relating to Secularism, Atheism and critiques of religion. It also has many books relating to trade unions, feminism and radical & socialist ideas .
Donations of books are welcome.
The Secular Society Library is at least 150 years old and began when the Secular Society first occupied premises on Humberstone Gate. This was before the Secular Hall was built in 1879. Trade directories for 1875 & 1878 refer to the Secular Club And Institute, Free Thought Book Store, Library and Reading Room, at 77 Humberstone Gate.
When the Secular Hall was completed in 1881, it featured a book shop, (75 Humberstone Gate) a reading room and a library, whose book cases lined the Clubroom. A gift of £100 from a Mr Coltman, (a Roman Catholic supporter!) led to the purchase of many books.
In 1885, the Reading Room and Library were thrown open to the public and was the first library in Leicester to open on Sundays. This was intended to put pressure on the authorities to open the free-library, museum and art gallery on Sundays. Councillor Butcher (A LSS member) remarked that it was:
“a great shame that people who were unable to visit the libraries and reading rooms on weekdays should be denied access to them on Sundays, when they had time to attend. They were robbing the people of a right which they ought to possess, and he trusted the time was not far distant when they should have both the Museum and Free Libraries opened on Sundays.”
In 1914, the library reverted to being a members only library. The collection has been updated over the years and has specialised in books relating to Secularism, Atheism and critiques of religion. It also has many books relating to trade unions, feminism and radical & socialist ideas .
Donations of books are welcome.
Email: library@lsec.org.uk
Phone: