Frances S. Summersell Library

When I was a girl, books were my teachers, my friends. They gave me hope, dreams, direction, and eventually power – power to become who I wanted to be.

-Mary Pipher (Author of Reviving Ophelia)

Frances S. Summersell

The Library in the Women and Gender Resource Center was named in honor of (the late) Mrs. Frances S. Summersell in May of 1997. Mrs. Summersell provided generous support for the enhancement of the Library. For many years, Mrs. Summersell was an active supporter of the University of Alabama and its programs, including establishment of the Charles Grayson Summersell Memorial Endowed History Award, support for The Other Club, XXXI, and other University programs. We are deeply appreciative of Mrs. Summersell ‘s generous gift to the Women and Gender Resource Center.

The collection is searchable through the University Library system.

About the Library  

The Library serves as a valuable resource for the University of Alabama and the community. The Library has a growing collection of books and DVDs on a wide variety of topics. Examples of subject areas include:

• Women’s and LGBTQ History
• Women’s Studies
• Girl Studies
• Gender Studies
• Psychology
• Race/Class/Culture
• Fiction
• Biography
• Women’s Health
• Race/Class/Culture
• Interpersonal Violence
• Self Help

In honor of cultural heritage and awareness months, the Frances S. Summersell Library accepts book donations. Check out our Amazon wish lists  on various topics!

Library Checkout Procedures

• You are welcome to come to the library located at 1101 Jackson Ave Suite 2000, (Southlawn Office Building) to pick up items you’re interested in and to browse the collection.  We are open Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm,.  If you are unable to drive to the location during the Fall and Spring semesters, there is a bus stop in front of the building that is the East Edge Apartment Shuttle that picks up at the bus hub.
• You may email summersell.lib@ua.edu submitting the item title, call number and your contact information and we will have the item ready for you to pick up at the center.  We will only hold the item for two days unless other arrangements have been made.
• You may also go through the Libraries Catalog or Scout and request an Interlibrary Loan to be sent to Gorgas Library.

Faculty Resources 

The Library has a very large selection of documentaries and educational videos that are useful to supplement class lectures/presentations on gender issues as well as race, class, and culture issues. Periodically, we are also able to add relevant documentaries to our collection at faculty request. Check out our collection. If you don’t find what you are looking for, ask us to add it to our Library Wish List.

Patron Disclaimer

In order to check out holdings in the Frances S. Summersell Library, UA students, faculty, and staff must first read and agree to all policies and sign a patron agreement form. All patrons must also abide by the University Libraries Code of Conduct and Acceptable Use Policy. Failure to abide by these policies may result in loss of privileges and possible fines from $10 to $300.

Before checking out holdings for the first time, patrons are required to sign a patron agreement form that acknowledges the acceptance of the policies and procedures.