University launches ‘period library’

The new collection is part of the Period Power Project, hosted by the University’s Student Funding Unit, in collaboration with staff in Library and Learning and Culture and Information.

Those involved in the project hope the collection will reduce the stigma and help normalise conversations about periods. Staff and students are invited to attend its official launch in the Main Library foyer on Wednesday 28 September from 9am.

Dundee graduate Amy Mclaughlin, who has been working with Student Services on the project, said, “We hope this addition to our libraries will help spark conversations between people about menstruation and their thoughts, feelings, and experiences about it.

"This year Scotland made history by becoming the first country in the world to offer free period products, and of course that’s a great step in ending period poverty, but there’s still a long way to go when it comes to ending stigma.

“By increasing menstrual education and normalising it in the institutions that we learn and work in, hopefully this will trickle down into other day-to-day conversations.

“To launch the library we’re inviting people to come along on Wednesday and have these conversations with us, and even pick up some free period products while they’re there.”

The period library will be available in not only the University’s Main Library, but also in Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, Ninewells and Kirkaldy libraries.

In 2017, Dundee became the first university in the United Kingdom to provide free sanitary products to its learners. Nine months later, it became the first pilot university to offer free products to all its students after the Scottish Government dedicated £5.4 million to tackling period poverty for all students and school pupils in Scotland.

The pioneering project also made the 100% organic cotton products free in male toilets in an extended effort to reduce the stigma around periods, allowing sons, fathers, husbands and boyfriends to pick up for their loved ones whilst also ensuring that persons who use male toilets but have functioning uteri are also cared for.

Sharon Sweeney of Student Services said, “It is an honour to lead this project for the University, from the original pilot to the iterative and inclusive project that it is today.

“We take the term ‘learner’ literally at the University, so that whoever is on campus engaged in any form of formal or informal learning can benefit from the collection and the provision of the single-use and reusable products.”

The Period Power Project continues to offer a wide range of free period products to staff and students, which are available across campus.