Ames, I’m just pointing out that its the same thing. While a real Beis Medrash (like the one Feivel is talking about above) may be different, I don’t think we really have those today. But you want to call it a library? That is fine – except that libraries are usually quiet.
Feivel, most women I know who are very into their learning (and I said most – I do know some women who just want to be exactly like men, but they have other issues as well) do it purely for the pursuit of Torah knowledge. It is how THEY relate best to Hashem and its important for THEIR spiritual growth to keep learning. It has nothing to do with wanting to do what a man does – I personally think thats typical male arrogance of not understanding the quest for knowledge.
Many people thought I was crazy for going into Engineering. There were so many people who told me I was crazy and “math is for men.” But it was what interested ME and what was good for ME. So I proceeded with the educational path that was right for ME. Should I have become a teacher just to fit in with what other people were doing? Not if I wasn’t violating halacha.
There are many true paths to Hashem, and if a woman finds her yirei shamayim increasing because of her learning, why shouldn’t she be learning? Is it better to lose her because you cut off the Torah from her?
Besides, isn’t it a man’s responsibility to provide for his wife? If so, he should be out working, not sitting in Kollel. So there is definitely room for differences in the general gender roles and how everything plays out. Kollel is really a feminist society in disguise.