Whether you’ve got access to an allotment or window ledge, you can get into gardening and enjoy the fruits or flowers of your labour, not to mention the benefits to mind, body and spirit.
Central Lending Library has a fantastic new collection of gardening books which are currently on display and available to borrow.
Pop into Central Library to browse the collection or explore the full list of gardening titles online.
Tanya from Central Lending Library tells us about her Snowflake Project and finding inspiration for new beginnings.
What will the New Year bring?
Every day, or week, or month, for a whole year… maybe a new poem, a tune, a walk, a sketch or craft, a recipe or a book?
It’s common to arrive at this time of the year and review what has happened throughout those days and weeks that have been, and to think forward to what the new year may bring, and sometimes reconcile one’s hopes and dreams with the reality…
A while ago I stopped my usual custom of taking out ‘how to learn… (insert language of choice) in one year’ type material at the beginning of January from my local library, as I finally realised it just wasn’t going to happen.
But late last year, as I excitedly watched the first snow of the season arrive in Edinburgh, I saw a book on crocheting snowflakes in Central Lending. I already knew how to crochet but had never been able to understand the language and follow a pattern, and I was intrigued.
So, the challenge began…I thought I might just try a couple…
My family referred to it as my ‘Julie and Julia’ moment.
A year later, with other projects and adventures in between, I was snowed under… I finished the book! In some way, I have managed to learn another language – I have learnt to ‘speak’ crochet, though of course, as with anything, the more you know, the more there is to know… There were restarts, and undoings, rereading of instructions and ponderings, but wonderful quiet meditative moments too, and times when it was helpful for my brain to have no other choice but to completely focus only on the very next stitch. Though there is one very special snowflake with more than the usual number of points!
It has bought much joy to discover something new and to complete a project. It has also been gratifying to see that what began as a simple personal interest has brought joy to others.
What will this new year bring then? The library has many books that use the concept of a year or a certain number of things as a framework for an adventure into something new. There are many interesting directions to investigate and paths to follow… maybe you will find some inspiration in the following suggestions. Will you try something new that you have always wanted to do, or revisit an old favourite passion? Our wonderful library staff will always be happy to assist with your quest!
Some ideas from our collection, beginning with the book that started it all –
100 Snowflakes to crochet by Caitlin Sainio
As a first-time reader of crochet, I found this easy to follow, starting with simple designs and adding complexity as it went along. With clear instructions and full patterns for a wide range of designs, the book gives you all the techniques you’ll need.
100 flowers to knit & crochet: a collection of beautiful blooms for embellishing clothes, accessories, cushions and throws by Lesley Stanfield
Perhaps you’ve already made snowflakes and are ready for more. I might head in this direction… The flowers are cross-referenced to a separate section featuring pattern instructions and information on yarn requirements.
Or maybe poems and stories will be the way to go… for all ages…
A year of reading aloud: 52 poems to learn and love by Georgina Rodgers with foreword by Rachel Kelly
Enjoy the magic of reading aloud and switch off from the distractions of life through the contemplation of poetry. Reciting poetry is a tradition as old as time. Ancient Greeks used it for awakening the mind and shaping character. Memorising poetry exercises the brain and gives it strength to learn and remember other information. It is also innately mindful as it calls us back to focus on where we are right now. It makes us pay attention and helps us inhabit the moment. Each of the 52 poems in this book is accompanied by an explanation of its key messages along with some insight about the poet.
A year full of stories written by Angela McAllister and illustrated by Christopher Corr
This treasury of 52 stories collects together a rich resource of myths, fairy tales and legends from around the world, with a story for every week of the year.
A year of Scottish poems with a foreword by Jackie Kay and chosen by Gaby Morgan
A Year of Scottish Poems is a glorious collection of 366 poems compiled by Gaby Morgan. Reflecting the changing seasons, landscape and history of Scotland and her people and marking key dates in the Scottish calendar – from Burns Night to Hogmanay – these poems are powerful, thoughtful and uplifting. With an introduction from the Scottish poet laureate Jackie Kay, this collection is bursting at the seams with the strongest voices in Scottish poetry: Robert Burns, Robert Louis Stevenson, George Mackay Brown and Sir Walter Scott sit alongside Liz Lochhead, Don Paterson and Carol Ann Duffy to deliver magic on every page that lasts a whole year!
A Poem for Every Day of the Year by Allie Esiri
A Poem For Every Day of the Year is a magnificent collection of 366 poems compiled by Allie Esiri, one to share on every day of the year. This audiobook collection is passionately narrated by Helena Bonham Carter and Simon Russell Beale. Reflecting the changing seasons and linking to events on key dates – funny for April Fool’s Day, festive for Christmas – these poems are thoughtful, inspiring, humbling, informative, quiet, loud, small, epic, peaceful, energetic, upbeat, motivating, and empowering!
Perfect for listening to with all the family.
Perhaps you have always wanted to draw… lots more ideas in our Art and Design Library –
Sketching 365: build your confidence and skills with a tip a day by Katherine Tyrell
Packed with insightful, easy-to-follow tips and featuring a refreshingly diverse range of work from contemporary artists, this is a comprehensive, highly accessible guide that is guaranteed to appeal to aspiring artists of all levels.
Or even enjoy someone else’s…
Quentin Blake: A Year of Drawings
A portfolio of new, unpublished work by Quentin Blake, completed by the artist during the lockdowns of 2020-21.
Eating plus reading must surely be a good thing….
The little library year: recipes and reading to suit each season by Kate Young
Kate Young’s first book, The Little Library Cookbook, captured the imagination of fiction-lovers and cooks alike. Here she returns with over 100 new recipes inspired by her favourite works of fiction, arranged in seasonal chapters to guide you through a year of eating and reading.
Our Music Library will reveal more ideas… instruments, music scores, books about music, music to listen to… try listening to a new piece of music for each day –
Year of wonder: classical music for every day by Clemency Burton-Hill
Classical music for everyone – an inspirational piece of music for every day of the year, celebrating composers from the medieval era to the present day, written by BBC Radio 3’s Clemency Burton-Hill.
Or even make your own –
A new tune a day for acoustic guitar by John Blackwell
Contains 1 score + sound disc.
(There are also ‘Tune a Day’ books for flute, drums, ‘cello, violin, viola, trumpet, trombone, saxophone, accordion…)
And it’s great to get out and go for a walk…there are loads of guidebooks in our Edinburgh and Scottish Collection…
Walking in the Pentland Hills: 30 walks in Edinburgh’s local hills by Susan Falconer
This guidebook features 30 circular walks on Scotland’s Pentland Hills, easily accessible from Edinburgh and home to peaks such as Scald Law and Carnethy Hill. Ranging from 2 to 17 miles, the routes are suitable for all abilities.
Also available as an ebook – helpful for those travelling light!
There are books to help you think about what is happening in your life through the lens of literature –
How to live, what to do: life lessons from literature by Josh Cohen
Literature matters. Not only does it provide escapism and entertainment, but it also holds a mirror up to our lives to show us aspects of ourselves we may not have seen or understood. From jealousy to grief, fierce love to deep hatred, our inner lives become both stranger and more familiar when we explore them through fiction. Josh Cohen, a psychoanalyst and Professor of Modern Literary Theory, delves deep into the inner lives of the most memorable and vivid characters in literature. His analysis of figures such as Jay Gatsby and Mrs Dalloway offers insights into the greatest questions about the human experience, ones that we can all learn from.
Life lessons from literature – wisdom from 100 Classic works by Joseph Piercy
Life Lessons from Literature is a must for all bibliophiles, providing a concise and highly accessible bucket list of must-read books that teach us so many fundamental truths and broaden our minds.
And as it is always interesting to read of others explorations, whether fictional or real, and while there are many books dealing with personal development, this one has a light-hearted approach –
Here comes the fun: a year of making merry by Ben Aitken
Are you getting enough? Ben Aitken wasn’t. Increasingly flat and decreasingly zen, he knew that something had to change. So he joined a lawn bowls club. About a week later, he continued his assault on the doldrums by taking a cheerleading class. Then – with an almost entirely reformed selfhood winking appealingly on the horizon – he went cold-water swimming and was back to square one. Despite the inevitable setbacks and missteps, it was becoming clear to Aitken that the very pursuit of fun was a great route to feeling less naff. And so he made a vow to go after the f-stuff with as much gusto as he could muster. He filled his calendar with a plethora of potentially pleasurable pursuits. Although the results were mixed, Aitken’s year of making merry left him feeling undoubtedly better. Which invites the question: if fun is such a reliable mood-swinger, shouldn’t we be having more of it?
And of course, we have numerous resources for learning many different languages for those wanting to go down that path!
Whatever you would like to do, enjoy the opportunities that the year brings and take advantage of the wonderful resources available through your local library. You never know where it might lead…
Wishing you all the very best for new adventures in the New Year!
Central Lending Library has a fantastic new collection of graphic novels which is currently on display and available to borrow until the end of January 2024. The collection will then move onto one of our other branch libraries.
Pop into Central library to browse the collection or explore the full list of graphic novel titles online.
Are you looking for ways to improve your digestive health? Central Library has a new collection of titles on display all about improving your gut health. Titles range from books on navigating Colitis, IBS and acid reflux to coping with associated pain and anxiety. We have titles on natural healing ideas, simple exercises, and plenty of cookbooks to guide you towards better health and well-being.
Pop into Central Lending for a browse or reserve a book online from our Gut Health collection titles.
If you’re interested in learning new ways to preserve food at home, whether that is by fermenting, drying, smoking, curing or canning, Central Library has a new collection of books just for you!
Read about the history of these often ancient techniques, or find out how to make your own condiments, salt your own meat and fish, pickle just about anything, and much more.
You can browse the full list of titles in the Preserving collection and reserve online. Or pop into Central Lending Library to see the collection on display until August.
And here’s a taster of some of the tempting titles available:
Jam, jelly and marmalade: a global history by Sarah B. Hood
Whether they make it themselves or just enjoy it with breakfast, people are often passionate about their favourite jam, jelly, or marmalade. Award-winning jam-maker Sarah B. Hood looks at the history of these sweet treats from simple fruit preserves to staple commodities, gifts for royalty, global brands, wartime comforts, and valued delicacies.
Reserve a copy of Jam, jelly and marmalade
Sandor Katz’s fermentation journeys: recipes, techniques, and traditions from around the world by Sandor Ellix Katz
For the past two decades, fermentation expert and bestselling author Sandor Katz has travelled the world, both teaching and learning about the many fascinating and delicious techniques for fermenting foods. In his book, ‘Sandor Katz’s Fermentation Journeys’, Katz takes readers along with him to revisit these special places, people, and foods.
Reserve a copy of Sandor Katz’s fermentation journeys
Handmade pickles & preserves: traditional accompaniments for meat, cheese or fish
Preserving is a wonderful way to make summer and autumn fruits and vegetables last into the winter and through to the next harvesting season. It’s easy to do, inexpensive and great fun!
Reserve a copy of Handmade pickles & preserves
Let’s preserve it by Beryl Wood
In this small encyclopaedia, Wood distils the immense knowledge of earlier generations into a pantry-full of simple recipes that will give endless delight both to make and to savour.
Reserve a copy of Let’s preserve it
The first phase of reopening libraries will see a selection of branches across the city opening on Tuesday 6 October.
The six branches are:
Central Library
Kirkliston Library
McDonald Road Library
Fountainbridge Library
Stockbridge Library
Newington Library
Initially at least, services will be restricted. As you might expect, numbers within buildings will be limited and social distancing measures will be in place. Face coverings are mandatory in Libraries.
From Tuesday 6 October you can:
return your books
pick up Hey Girls sanitary products
You will have to book a slot to:
browse and borrow books
use a public computer
apply for a National Entitlement Card (bus pass)
collect hearing aid batteries
For more information visit the Libraries Reopening page.
You can make your booking online here.
Or by phoning one of the six branches above.
We appreciate your support and look forward to welcoming you back.
Edinburgh Libraries are supporting NHS Scotland’s Test and Protect. To stop the spread of Coronavirus we’ll record your name, contact telephone number, date of your visit, time of arrival and departure. We have a lawful basis to process your information. Contacting people who might have been exposed to coronavirus is an important step in stopping the spread. Your information will be held securely, controlled by City of Edinburgh Libraries and will be destroyed after 21 days. Your information will only be used if requested by NHS Scotland or statutory partners. You have the right to have your data erased or corrected. Full Collection of Data Privacy Notice.
Today’s blogpost is by Central Library’s Hope Whitmore, where she explores the joys and need to re-read beloved books.
“When I was a child, led into Kendal Library, holding my father’s hand, I looked up from my three foot something height at the shelves around me, and declared, grandly, ‘I will read all the books and then I will know everything in the world!’
Working in Edinburgh Central Library I would remember this, the wonder of so many books, and the way it seemed possible, to a five-year-old me, that these could be devoured. As a librarian I would see new books every day, not only the New new books, which went on the red trolley (unpacking and receipting these was one of my favourite tasks) but also new-to-me-books, the ones which had somehow (how?) remained hidden, even as I shelved trolleys and book checked. The main library was full of new discoveries to be made, slim little paperbacks, not previously noted, or huge tomes, somehow previously overlooked.
But, however much excitement I feel on discovering a new book, however thrilling it is to go down to the basement, cut open the boxes, remove the padding and reveal a box of gorgeous just published hardbacks, I am not staying true to my five-year-old self, rather, I have found myself lately going back to old familiar books, those I loved as a child, or in my early twenties, or even more recently than that.
Before lockdown I took out several books, and throughout lockdown have bought many others, but most of them remain unread, put to one side, in favour of the familiar novels I know and love, the rhythms of which I can follow, the beats of the story like the next note in a well-loved song.
Why, when surrounded by choice, do I do this? What happened to the child, who wanted to know all the things? And why do others reread books, particularly at times when things are hard. I set out to find out.
I put out a call on Social Media asking people why do you reread. Many cited familiarity as a reason to return to old books – the comfort of a story you know, the control of knowing what will happen, the pleasure of anticipation, the joy of remembering something suddenly, or pre-empting what is on the next page, with all the uncertainty and fallibility which comes with human memory (which way did this chapter lead, is this path how I remember it?) One friend, said ‘rereading gives comfort akin to rosary beads.’ Another friend wrote, ‘there is reassurance in knowing how something will end.’
There is also, however, the element of having changed, and therefore the book – seemingly once so beautiful, so strange, so romantic – having a different texture. ‘I first read Lolita when I was Lolita’s age,’ said one friend, ‘it reads totally differently reading it at the age of the character Humbert Humbert.’
At different ages, our life experience gives us different lenses. My favourite series of all time, The Cazalet Chronicles, follows a family with characters of all ages. You get to be so many different people, from the stubborn Louise who longs to play Hamlet, the beautiful but unhappy Zoe, to the lonely, lovely, dowdy Miss Milliment with stains on her clothes, and her glasses always hazy from the food she drops on them. Whichever stage of life you are at, you can ‘get’ the characters.
In one of The Cazalet Books, I believe it is marking time, Clary, the imaginative little girl with always bitten nails begins to grow up, and speaks about reading for the sake of ‘meeting old friends again.’ This comes at a time when Clary feels lost. Her father, Rupert, is lost in France following the Normandy landings, presumed dead. She therefore seeks refuge in books, and the familiar friendship of these characters whose stories she knows, and who she can turn to again and again. These people are flawed, complex, human, and beloved, but on the page they don’t change, even as we do.
Perhaps this is what leads us to reread. Many people cite familiarity, in a world where things are looking far from familiar, with a lens, which is coloured by current events and different than any lens through which we have read before. Maybe, when we are so altered, so unsure, so lost, even, we need to reach for these old friends, to open their books, and greet them once again, ready to run the familiar, wild, overgrown paths, and hear their stories told anew.”
Never ventured into the world of shopping online? Don’t know where to start ? Don’t trust it? Frightened of scams?
Come along to our “How To” presentation and workshop. We won’t be doing any actual shopping on the day but we can take you through the things to look out for to keep it all safe and we will also show you typical/well known shopping sites and the simple steps involved in using them. . . . all just in time for Christmas!
Monday, Dec 3rd 2pm – 4, Central Library
Limited places available, contact Kenny Sharkey on
07809 320 432
or give your name/contact details to a member of library staff
Following on from yesterday’s post Hope talks about working for Edinburgh City Libraries.
It was my boyfriend who suggested I apply to libraries. He thought the work would do me good, give me stability that seasonal waitressing and freelance writing didn’t.
I didn’t think I had a chance, but he found out that Edinburgh City Council have a scheme where they guarantee an interview to candidates who declare they have a disability. I felt a bit weird about using this, but I also remembered the libraries of my childhood, the magic there, the tales of courage and failure, as well as success, the way that books seemed to be the haven for kids who felt they were outsiders. With this in mind I applied and got an interview, where I spoke to the interviewer about how important libraries were to me as a child, how I’d like to see other children have similar positive experiences in libraries, how books could make a kid feel that he or she was not so alone after all. I thought I’d talked to much and made a total mess of it.
When I got the phone call to tell me I’d got the job I was delighted. Andrew, the interviewer, told me that my passion had come across and I’d given a good interview.
There have been challenges to working in libraries. One emotion I cannot recognise in others is anger, and this makes me edgy – aware of the potential that someone may become angry and I will not recognise it. A raised voice will frighten me for example, and I have mistaken customers’ legitimate frustration’ with anger directed at myself and my colleagues. But I’ve learnt to deal with this, communicating clearly with customers who have problems, and speaking with them about the steps we can take to ensure that the problem is solved.
Working in libraries has been an overwhelmingly positive experience, and I think that because of my experience as an outsider I can relate to library users who may have challenges in a more direct way than other staff members can. Of course, all staff will seek to help library users with disabilities, but I feel that wanting to help, and being able to relate are different things.
The customers are for the most part friendly, engaging and interesting, and something I’ve learned about people since I was a child is that whether they are on the autistic spectrum or not, they are all as keen to be liked as I am, and everyone has at one stage in their life had a time where they feel like an outsider; whether that is when they are starting a new role, or in an unfamiliar situation. Alienation is lonely, but also universal, and it took a long time for me to understand that.
Just today a member of the public came into the children’s library and asked about books on autism. He works as a play worker with autistic children, and was looking for resources. I pointed him in the right direction and we had a chat about his work, and how important it is. I didn’t tell him I’m on the autistic spectrum and I don’t think he guessed. Sometimes it’s nice to pass as normal.
In 2011, the first mystery paper sculpture was discovered in the Scottish Poetry Library. It was an incredibly delicate gift; a tree growing out of a book, an eggshell of poems and a little card with read:
“@ByLeavesWeLive and became a tree….We know that a library is so much more than a building full of books… a book is so much more than pages full of words…This is for you in support of libraries, books, words, ideas..”
More sculptures were discovered that year at the National Library of Scotland, the National Museum of Scotland, the Filmhouse, the Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature Trust, the Edinburgh Writers’ Museum, the Edinburgh International Book Festival and here at Edinburgh Central Library.
The identity of the artist was withheld, and to this day we don’t know who the artist is.
We do know that this sculpture, the Butterfly Tree and the Lost Child, is 
her last and we are tremendously privileged to have it here at Central Library.
You can see the small sculptures donated to Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature Trust and the Edinburgh International Book Festival in Central Library’s foyer or online on our Capital Collections Website. You can go to Wikipedia for more information on all the sculptures.
Dianne Barry from the Edinburgh and Midlothian Beekeepers Association will be joining us for a drop-in event in Central Lending on Friday 25th November at 1 – 3pm.
Dianne will share her knowledge, offer advice and generally discuss all things beekeeping – there may even be honey to taste!
Students and members of The Scots Music Group performed live in the Central Lending Library on Friday 24th June; great fun, excellent music and an appreciative crowd.
Look out for more Friday marketplace events on the last Friday of the month from September to November, at around 1 – 3pm in the Central Lending Library.
See you there!
Original Architectural Drawing of Central Library
On 9 June 1890 the doors to the first public library in Edinburgh opened to the public.
In the run up to our 125th anniversary we’ll take a look at some of the significant developments which have taken place over that time.
Andrew Carnegie lays the foundation stone of the Edinburgh Free Library
Edinburgh was the last Scottish city to adopt the Public Libraries Act doing so in 1886 when Andrew Carnegie donated £50,000 to the city to build a free library. Building commenced in 1887 and was completed in 1890. The building was designed by architect George Washington Browne in a French Renaissance style.
‘Let there be light’ is carved above the entrance; something Carnegie insisted should appear on all libraries he funded. Other notable features on the building’s facade include three large roundels depicting the coat of arms of the City of Edinburgh, the arms of Scotland and the royal arms. Nine small square reliefs run along the building relating to the history of printing in Scotland.
One of nine small square reliefs on the exterior of Edinburgh Central Library
The library opened with three departments: Reference, Lending and the Newsroom. Hew Morrison was appointed principal librarian in 1887. In his 34 years in post he was responsible for developing central library and five branch libraries. A bequest of £50,000 from publisher Thomas Nelson in 1891 funded the development of branches at Dundee Street (1897), Stockbridge (1900), McDonald Road (1904) and St Leonards (1914). Morningside opened in 1905.
McDonald Road Library in 1912
Find out how much you know about Edinburgh Libraries with this quick, fun quiz
With Doctor Who’s fiftieth anniversary almost upon us what better time to find out a bit more about Central Library’s pet Dalek.
The Dalek’s many guises have been amusing and confusing visitors to the lending department for several years now. Here is his tribute to Robert Louis Stevenson’s masterpiece:
Dr Jekyll and Mr Dalek
We caught up with John and Lesley from the lending library to find out more about their resident exterminator.
So what is a Dalek (in fancy dress) doing in the lending library?
It all started a few years back. We got the Dalek (and his less celebrated cyberman sidekick) to promote the Edinburgh Science Festival. We liked the Dalek so much we decided to keep him, and started dressing him up in literary-themed costumes. Like the Doctor, the Dalek has gone through one or two ‘regenerations’ – because like the rest of us he can get a bit deflated from time to time.
What reaction have you had to the Dalek?
The Dalek is definitely a cult hero. We’ve had lots of people getting their photo taken with the Dalek, and thanks to the power of Facebook he’s built up an international following.
Count Dalekula
Where do the ideas for his costumes come from?
Staff, visitors, anyone. Usually he’s dressed up as a literary character (Dickens seems to be a recurring favourite) but sometimes we’ll do something related to current affairs (like with the Jubilee Dalek). Finding the right props can be difficult but we are starting to build up quite an extensive wardrobe.
What was your favourite Dalek get-up?
The Dalek with the Dragon Tattoo. We don’t actually have a picture of this incarnation – so if anyone out there has we’d love to see it. Another personal favourite was Dalek of Green Gables.
Dalek of Green Gables
Which literary character would you like to see the Dalek dressed up as? Leave a comment below.
Prepare to be inspired as you follow an innovative art trail through Central Library. Original artwork by Edinburgh College of Art masters students, which was inspired by the building and its collections, form the Central Inspiration exhibition, on display until the end of August.
The aim of the project was to highlight the importance of tactile objects in the library in a digital age. MA Graphic Design student Sigrid Schmeisser said: “While libraries must incorporate technology to compete with their online counterparts, we cannot discount the tactile nature of public libraries that cannot be recreated on-screen. Libraries are often home to rare books, prints and manuscripts and unlike a museum the public has access to these artefacts which is an interaction that no scan or image can recreate.”
To celebrate this aspect of a traditional library, the 15 postgraduate graphic design and illustration students installed pieces around the main public areas of the Central Library building to encourage audiences to explore the collections. The work ranges from light reflecting mobiles in the children’s library to an Edgar Allan Poe inspired illustration in reference. There’s a digital animation in the Lending Library and ornate paper crafts outside the Edinburgh and Scottish Collection.
You can collect a map at the foyer of the library and use it to navigate your way through these wonderful pieces. The process was also filmed to allow you, dear library user, to click a QR code beside the artwork and discover the inspiration behind it.
Here’s a taste of what the artists had to say:
Visit the Central Inspiration website for more information on the project and view more videos on our You Tube Channel.
Libraries are full of surprises. Take last week…
Visitors to Oxgangs, Central and Wester Hailes Libraries were taken aback when one of their fellow browsers burst into song. Things got stranger still when a “member of staff” joined in… and what about the guy playing the piano in the corner – where did he appear from??
This was “Love in a Library” – a series of “guerilla operas” put on by our chums from the Edinburgh International Festival. Here’s a film of one of the performances along with an interview with the performers. Bravo!
Meanwhile Edinburgh’s mystery book sculptor struck again. The latest creation was dropped off at Leith Library to the surprise and delight of staff and visitors. This one is called ‘Preparing to fly” and it’s every bit as intricate and beautiful as our elusive artist’s previous work. This is one story that looks set to run and run…
LOADS happening in libraries recently – so let’s have a quick round-up.
First, thanks to all you big-hearted readers who helped us raise lots of money for Comic Relief and Marie Curie. Central Library hosted a Red Nose Day Readathon with staff taking turns to read from the funniest novel ever – as voted by our readers…
While dressing up of a different sort was the order of the day as Newington Library celebrated International Women’s Day with a fashion show featuring women’s national dress from around the world.
Next, news for Edinburgh and Scottish Collection fans. The good news is that this part of Central Library is getting a makeover, including paintwork and new carpets. We will however have to close for 10-12 weeks while the work gets done (from 2nd April). The rest of central library will remain open during this period.
At Corstorphine Library National Science and Engineering Week was all the reason needed to examine how acids and alkali work with these Rainbow Jellyfish. We also calculated the speed of light – using chocolate and a microwave. To find out how visit Corstorphine Library’s Facebook page.
Last but by no means least, Edinburgh Libraries have been shortlisted for The Bookseller Magazine’s Library of the Year award, a title currently held by… Edinburgh Libraries (you might have seen us mention this before). The winner is announced on 13th May – fingers crossed!
Here are just some of our events during October. Check with your local library to find out what’s happening in your area.
1st-6th October
Detective for a Day & make your mark on the library. Come along and pose your questions to Central Library staff
1st October
Meet the author Harry the Polis, Ratho Library, 6.30-7.30
4th October
Super Poetry Bash, workshops and open mic night on National Poetry Day, Portobello Library
Meet the Author of The Blue Suitcase, Marianne Wheelaghan, Ratho Library, 6.30-7.30
5th October
Superhero building for children aged 5-12yrs, McDonald Road Library
Zoolab for children aged 5-12 years at McDonald Road and Moredun Libraries
5th – 7th October
Portobello Book Festival. Contact Portobello Library for more information
6th October
Zoolab for children aged 5-12 years at Granton and South Queensferry Libraries
Superhero Saturday: Super hero building for children aged 5-12 years at Moredun, Kirkliston, Ratho, Muirhouse Libraries
Super Saturday Music with live classical guitar and fiddle music at Morningside Library
Round the world stories with Fearghal McNicoll, for children aged 5-12 years at Leith Library
Central Library hosts a day of events including music from St Mary’s Music School, Drew Wright and Wounded Knee and Scottish music group Madeline Brand and Anne Gass. The choir from Tollcross Primary School will perfom Gaelic songs and Queen Victoria will be dropping in for a drawing event
12th October
Zoolab for children aged 5-12 years at Ratho Library
13th October
Zoolab and superhero building for children aged 5-12 years at Portobello Library
Following on from the visual delights of the recent exhibition of Ishizumi Fans (www.ishizumifans.com), comes this month’s exhibition; a selection of colourful pattern books published from the nineteenth century onwards. The exhibition comprises books from our Special Collections, which are reference only, and a selection of modern publications which are available to borrow.
Some of these refer back to principles established by early civilisations (as recorded by Owen Jones in his classic work The Grammar of Ornament) and some to the designs seen in nature (Eugene Grasset on plants and Maurice Verneuil on animals).
If you are in Central Library be sure to take a look and enjoy the colours and contrasts of these items. The display is located on the staircase on the way up to the Reference Library.
We’ve made a lot of changes to the Central Lending Library recently, including installing self-service machines.
If you’ve visited Central Lending recently please take a couple of minutes to complete this short survey and tell us what you think. Thanks.
The survey runs until 17th December.
Tales of One City 