Rebel Voices Archive; Anarchist Library Project
REBEL VOICES ARCHIVE
In 1971 a small group began the Rebel Voices Archive. At that time our purpose was to ensure that libertarian literature – books, pamphlets and periodicals – were preserved for our future.
In order to guarantee as far as we could that the material survived we originally intended to be secretive and clandestine. But as time went by and the collection grew we changed our ideas and now the archive is fairly accessible.
We are in touch and exchange material with similar archives around the world. Most of the material is donated by groups, publishers and individuals and it is this process – contacting, explaining and so on – that takes up so much of our time and energy. We need all kinds of help.
The scope of the collection is Libertarian and Feminist, containing about 3000 books, 7000 periodicals and countless pamphlets, broadsheets and posters. The major part of the material has been produced during the last decade – since 1968 – but we have no desire to limit the period that the archive covers.
The books and pamphlets are divided into 5 main areas –
LIBERTARIAN THEORY: from ‘left-wing’ communists such as Gramsci, Luxemburg or Pannekoek to ‘right-wing’ libertarians such as Hess, Rothbard or Stirner.
LABOUR & SOCIAL HISTORY, FEMINIST THEORY & HISTORY, FEMINIST LITERATURE: Novels, poetry, autobiography, journals etc., and a fine collection of UTOPIAN & DYSTOPIAN LITERATURE.
The periodical collection contains over 500 different periodicals and this is continually growing. We collect only english language material.
If you publish any material that falls into any of the categories we mention above then try and send us a copy – we’ll pay postage. We can be contacted thus: REBEL VOICES ARCHIVE : BOX 108 : RISING FREE BOOKSTORE : 182 UPPER STREET : LONDON : N1 : ENGLAND.
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ANARCHIST LIBRARY
There has been some talk of organising an Anarchist open library here in Babylon. Later this spring the ‘Public Library’* will be dissolved and its component collections passed onto various groups.
The Rebel Voices Archive and the Federation of London Anarchist Groups (FLAG) will become responsible for the following sections: ANARCHISM, LIBERTARIANISM/ANARCHISM, SITUATIONISM, COUNCIL COMMUNISM. If enough support and interest can be generated then this material could become the foundation of an Anarchist Library.
As is usually the case the major stumbling blocks are premises and money. It’s difficult to see the library finding premises by itself (it would require one large or two small rooms in good, dry condition with good security). However it would be possible to obtain space in concert with some other Anarchist project – such as an Anarchist centre for example.
As for money nothing new to say on the subject, it’s the same old story – how and where to get it.
We see the Library as essentially being independent of any group or tendency, as being a resource for and of the entire movement. There are many tasks a library could perform: producing and publishing Indexes to Anarchist periodicals, publishing Bibliographies on special aspects of Anarchism (for example on Anarcha-Feminism or Anarchism in S.E. Asia), producing lists of new publications, locating material for research for articles and books. This kind of work would be of immense value.
It’s merely an idea at this moment so if you’re attracted to this project then get in touch. We’ll call a meeting soon for all interested people. We’ll keep you informed of progress – or lack of it.
ANARCHIST LIBRARY PROJECT : C/O BOX 18 [108?] : RISING FREE BOOKSTORE : 182 UPPER STREET : LONDON : N1 : ENGLAND
*A note on the ‘Public Library’. The Public Library is, or was a collection of 100,000 pamphlets and periodicals produced by the international left-wing and alternative movement. It was set up in 1973 as an information resource for activists.
In 1977 it lost its lease and was forced into temporary storage and following an unsuccessful appeal for aid was forced to fold up. After much discussion (internal) the P.L. collective decided to split the collection up, which is what is happening now.
During its brief life it provided much useful aid to the movement including the Campaign Against a Criminal Trespass Law and research for Tony Bunyans book ‘The Political Police in Britain’. It functioned despite great limitations, mainly time and space.
We feel that more could have been done to keep the Library in one piece and functioning. However that’s water under the bridge now.
from Borrowed Time; an anti-authoritarian bulletin of news, contacts and debate, Number one, Spring 1978 See https://archive.org/details/BorrowedTime_20141029