A unique collection of pamphlets and rare periodicals form part of the Library’s collections and document the activities of trade unions, political parties and campaign groups for over one hundred years, covering subjects including anti-colonial campaigns, the womens’ movement and strikes and struggles.

Our printed collections also incorporate books on Marxist philosophy and political economy, pamphlets on chartism and anti-imperialism and periodicals on the socialist sunday schools and early trade union movement.

Examples from our unique collections include a full run of the Young Socialist, a magazine for children published by Twentieth Century Press (1901-1979) and copies of Justice, the organ of the Social Democratic Federation (1893-1922), and Communist Party pamphlets on equal pay and peace.