The Smirfitt Library
Our extensive research library was dedicated in honour of Jack Smirfitt.
Our extensive research library was dedicated in honour of Jack Smirfitt.
For 40 years, Jack was the Librarian at the HATRA Research Centre for Knitting, and for his last 15 years he was the Honorary Curator here at the Framework Knitters Museum.
The Smirfitt Library
Our extensive research library was dedicated in honour of Jack Smirfitt. For 40 years, Jack was the Librarian at the HATRA Research Centre for Knitting, and for his last 15 years he was the Honorary Curator here at the Framework Knitters Museum.
The Library holds copies of all the major classic works on the framework knitting and hosiery industries, together with complete runs of trade journals, house magazines, academic research, histories of hosiery firms, confidential consultants’ and market research organisations’ reports, plus various pamphlets and government reports.
Our collection includes works in a variety of languages including Japanese and Russian.
The archive also features original documents and ephemeral material from manufacturers who no longer exist. This is supplemented by an archive of historic film footage.
The Smirfitt Library remains an important part of the museum’s collection. As a small independent museum, we are currently focusing on the ongoing care and organisation of the library holdings.
At present, we are not able to facilitate research visits or respond to individual library enquiries. We hope that, in time, the library may be developed as a bookable research space within the museum, subject to resources and capacity.
Thank you for your understanding.