Music Instrument Libraries

For many people, the goal of learning to play a musical instrument has been ever present. The benefits of playing an instrument – physical, mental, social, and emotional – have been well documented but there may still be barriers stopping individuals from learning. Making music can be an expensive business as the cost of instruments is often high even for entry-level items due to their complexity and upkeep. Tuition, sheet music, and available practice spaces add to this, leaving the dream of learning to play unattainable for many.

A row of guitars available for loan in the Music Library

Well, times are changing. Edinburgh Libraries are delighted to be part of a pioneering instrument library service initiated by We Make Music Scotland and partnered with Tinderbox Collective, and for the past year we’ve been loaning instruments to our members. If you’ve ever dreamt of learning to play an instrument, if you used to play but had to stop, or if you just don’t have access to your own instrument, the instrument library service will open doors to a musical world.

“How does it work?” I hear you ask. Read on to find out!

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to borrow an instrument?
It’s completely free to borrow any of our instruments! There’s no hire charge, no deposits, nothing. All you need is an Edinburgh Libraries membership card and you’re good to go. If you don’t have a library membership, you can join online or in person at any of our libraries.

How long can I borrow an instrument for?
Instruments can be borrowed for 3 weeks, just the same as books. Instruments can be renewed up to 3 times unseen before they need to come back to their branch, just like any other item of stock. If an instrument hasn’t been requested, you will be more than welcome to borrow it again.

Which libraries have instruments?
Currently Craigmillar Library, Drumbrae Library, Moredun Library, Muirhouse Library, Music Library and Wester Hailes Library all have instruments available to loan.

How do I find out what instruments you have?
You can find listings for all our instruments on our library catalogue. There are a couple of ways you can do this.
1. You can type in the name of the instrument you’re looking for and “We Make Music Scotland” into the search box, e.g. “violin we make music scotland”.
This will return the listings for violins.

Example search for “violin we make music scotland”

2. Alternatively, you can use the Advanced Search tool. Select ‘Other material’ from the Media Type list. If you’re looking for a specific instrument, type in the instrument you’re looking for in the Keywords field. If you’d like a general list of the instruments available, type “We Make Music Scotland” in the Author field.

Type the name of the instrument into the keyword box.

Select ‘Other material’ from the media type list.

Of course, you’re always welcome to speak to a member of staff at any of the instrument libraries, who will be happy to help you search for any instrument you’re looking for.

How can I find out more about an instrument?
If you’ve found a particular instrument on the catalogue that you’d like to know more about, it’s best to contact the library that holds that instrument as they’ll be able to see it and relay any specifics to you. Each branch may also have a physical listing of the instruments they hold, e.g. the Music Library has a paper catalogue of its instruments for borrowers to consult.

Are any of your instruments for children?
Yes! Whilst there are many instruments that are suitable for children and adults alike, there are smaller versions of certain instruments – such as guitars and string instruments like violins – that are better suited to children and we do have some of these in stock. We also have percussion sets available that are perfect for young, budding musicians. If you’re at all unsure, speak to a member of staff or pop into one of the instrument libraries to have a look at the instruments in person.

Can I return an instrument to any library?
Unfortunately not. Due to the fragile nature of the instruments, they are not transferred between branches so they must be borrowed from and returned to their home branch.

Can I reserve an instrument?
Instruments can’t be reserved on the online catalogue as they can’t be transferred between branches. If you’d like to reserve a particular instrument, please get in touch with the branch that holds it and staff will be able to put the instrument aside for you. If the instrument you’re looking for is currently out on loan, staff from that branch will note your request so the instrument will be set aside for you upon its return and you will be notified.

Can I borrow an instrument if I don’t live in Edinburgh?
Absolutely! As long as you have a Edinburgh Libraries membership card, you’re able to borrow an instrument. The only stipulation is that instruments need to be borrowed from and returned to their home branch directly.

The instrument I’m looking for isn’t listed on the catalogue. Will you be acquiring one soon?
Almost all of the instruments available have been generously donated to the instrument libraries scheme so this determines the range of instruments we have available for loan.

Are the instruments checked and cleaned before they are issued?
Yes. Staff from Tinderbox Collective check over all the instruments before they are added to the library catalogue ready for borrowing. All woodwind and brass instruments have their mouthpieces cleaned before they are next used.

Can I donate an instrument to the libraries?
Of course, we’re very grateful for instrument donations! Please contact one of the instrument libraries for more information.

Do you have any guides for how to play available instruments?
Yes, each instrument library will have a selection of how-to guides very soon. The Music Library has a more comprehensive collection of stock to help you learn to play, as well as a huge variety of sheet music available to borrow.

Do you have any space where I can practise?
Central Library has a Music Room that can be booked free of charge for you to practise in. This space also has an electronic drum kit and digital piano that can be used, whilst the Music Library has another digital piano and digital keyboard that can be booked for playing. If you’d like to make a booking or would like more information on these services, please contact the Music Library.

So, what are you waiting for? Embark on a musical journey – whether it’s completely new territory or roads well-travelled – and borrow an instrument!

If you have any further questions, please get in touch with one of the music instrument libraries.

Musical instruments available for loan in the Music Library

A row of guitars available for loan in the Music Library.

Muirhouse Library does potatoes

“How on earth are we going to make green eggs and ham?” wailed a frazzled mum in March 2018, faced with a nine-year-old who had a “brilliant idea” for her World Book Day costume.

It used to be a real school-gates phenomenon. World Book Day morning and you’d see floods of children of primary school age trooping past draped in sheets, with knobbly knees sticking out of cardboard boxes, clutching twig bows-and-arrows or draped in glossy princess dresses, lightning scars drawn on with eyeliner. But it wasn’t fun for everyone. Working parents shook their heads hopelessly wondering how they’d pull something creative together. Children who wished for the expensive superhero suit in the supermarket were disappointed, and others just hated dressing up and spent the whole day on the edges of the event.

But we’re now seeing a rash of creativity that is smaller-scale and based on objects which children can make by themselves. Not to dress up a whole child, but maybe…. A potato? That’s a bit more manageable.

Some of the amazing potato transformations from the Muirhouse Library display.

A potato character is a great way of making something small and funny that ties in with the general theme. Trying to think up who or what to depict is a great way for children to revisit what they might have read through the year but that’s only the start of it. A potato is round and knobbly and slightly damp. Not the easiest thing to dress. An engineering problem for sure. And as the potatoes started arriving back at the library in all their glory, we saw amazing solutions from our participants! Paper was a popular choice. Some people drew beautiful reworkings of familiar illustrations, like Tessa’s Famous Five, and attached them to potatoes. We also had a sculpted paper dress on Saoirse’s Amelia Fang and paper ears on Aidan’s Pikachu. Who knew you could draw on a potato with silver pen? Well, Mary did – and she also pinned lines of sequins on her potato king. Lots of them. Freya’s beautiful Spinosaurus had a long pipe cleaner tail. Hamish also made a dinosaur… with his potato shaped and cut into different body parts. But we really had to take our hats off to Malachy, who covered his whole potato in plasticine and added more plasticine sculpture and cocktail stick teeth to make a truly terrifying Venom sculpture.

We also approached Morrisons – who are our next door neighbours in our current home at Edinburgh College – to see if they could spare some short-dated potatoes. No food waste here! We were delighted with their generous response – not only a whole trolleyload of tatties to distribute for decoration, but also a beautifully wrapped prize to give to our favourite potato! Thanks Morrisons! (It had to go to Malachy – we hope Venom enjoyed the sweeties).

Malachy’s ‘Venom’ potato was the prizewinner.

Our potato display in the library attracted lots of positive attention from visitors and we were happy to celebrate World Book Day in partnership with our creative young community.

And if you ever want to make green eggs and ham – don’t do as I did in 2018 and sit colouring in a piece of ham with a felt tip pen at 11pm at night… just be more Malachy and make it out of plasticine!

Baby STEM at Muirhouse Library

Once Upon a Time…
…as all great stories are supposed to start. Not too long before Christmas 2018, a BIG box of resources arrived at Muirhouse Library. At first, we were a bit confused, we stood and looked at the box, we scratched heads and we wondered what to do.

So we rummaged, looking at this and that, until we stumbled upon a box of Lego Duplo. It wasn’t the biggest box of Duplo we had seen – and it didn’t have lots of pieces – but it looked fun. It’s name was Animal Bingo and from this little box, Baby STEM* was born (* in case you don’t know STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and math!!).

Our journey begins with Bookbug…
…Bookbug sessions are popular at Muirhouse Library and we all know it has positive effects on early years child development. Parents often would stay after Bookbug for a chat and a cup tea. This gave us a bright idea!

As parents were already in the library, we could use this as a chance to try out our new activity. So when Bookbug finished, we asked the adults (after their cup of tea of course!) if they would like to stay and try out a this new activity called Baby STEM.

All the grownups thought ‘oh what a grand idea!’ In the first session we used the Animal Bingo. Out of the box there are eight animals to build with flash card instructions. Afterwards everyone asked if we could do it again next time and some even asked where they could get their own set of Animal Bingo. We were all so happy that everyone had a good time.

And finishes with a busy morning…
…since that first Baby STEM session, it has become a regular activity. The most popular activity with the babies is playing with the Lego Duplo. It has been fantastic and well received! Not only have we noticed that Baby STEM builds on the skills we encourage in Bookbug, but also it builds on some other skills too such as:

• Hand eye coordination
• Shape and Colour recognition
• Matching and Counting
• Taking Turns
• Social development with other children
• Adult-children interaction

From Baby STEM, we have seen children develop from struggling to find the right part when prompted and having difficulty with the fine motor control needed to put the blocks together. To being able to follow the flash cards and build everything themselves!

A Tuesday or a Friday morning at Muirhouse Library for our youngest customers starts with Bookbug at 10:30am, wrapped up with Goodbye babies and a sticker. Followed by short intermission for juice and a snack at 11:00am and then onto some Baby Stem around 20 to 30 minutes.

Then it is nap time for EVERYONE, and we all lived happily ever after.

Virtual Reality comes to Edinburgh Libraries

Over the last few months more than a 100 visitors to Portobello, Muirhouse, Drumbrae, Leith, Oxgangs and Wester Hailes Libraries have had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the Berlin Blitz by flying over Berlin with the crew of a  Lancaster Bomber, encounter gorillas in the Congo and travel in Dr Who’s Tardis courtesy of the BBC Virtual Reality Libraries Tour.

The BBC created new and unique VR experiences for public libraries in the UK.
For most of the participants they were trying a VR headset for the first time and everyone enjoyed the experience and would like to have the opportunity to try it again.

Visitors to Portobello Library enjoying the VR experience.

Find out more about the BBC project that brought virtual reality experiences to new audiences in over 150 UK libraries.

Muirhouse Instrument Library

Muirhouse Library now offer a musical instrument lending service! The idea for an Instrument Library came about during a discussion between the library, North Edinburgh Arts and Tinderbox before a gathering of youth providers in the local Muirhouse area. Tinderbox run music production classes and lessons out of the art centre, but only during school term time. They were looking for a way for their catalogue of instruments to be made available during the holidays but didn’t have means to monitor or issue the equipment. That’s where the library came in – in what seemed an obvious move, as the means to lend items is at the very core of our service – we offered to house the instruments and manage their usage.
And so, the Muirhouse Instrument Library was born.

We have a great selection of instruments that are available to borrow for one week from Muirhouse Library. To be eligible to borrow an instrument you need to live in the Muirhouse area, have a library card and be aged between 10 and 25 years old. If you are under 16 you will need to get parental/guardian permission.

If practice space is an issue, space may be used in the Art centre or in the library community room, subject to availability on the day.

Instruments available:

• Violin – full size
• Violin – ¾ size
• Guitar – ¾ size
• Keyboard
• Ukulele
• Accordion
• Flute (plastic)
• Clarinet
• Recorder
• Alto saxophone
• Trumpet (plastic)
• Trombone (plastic)

The instruments are a resource for young people of Muirhouse, if you wish to learn or are currently learning but don’t have access to an instrument or you have a gig and need an extra sound. Whatever your reason for wanting to borrow an instrument, all we ask is that you take care of it, love it even, so that the next person can get as much out of it as we hope you will.

For further information on the Muirhouse Instrument Library, Tinderbox or North Edinburgh Arts, please contact Muirhouse.library@edinburgh.gov.uk or Admin@northedinburgharts.org.uk

Muirhouse Library Breakfast Club

Holiday hunger is a major issue across Scotland. With 1 in 4 children living in poverty, many families struggle with the additional costs of meals throughout the summer holidays. To help tackle this, even if in a very small way, the staff at Muirhouse Library started running The Saturday Breakfast Club, offering a free breakfast service of cereals, fruit, juices and teas/coffees for parents, every Saturday along with a film or cartoons on their cinema-size screen.

The service was well used and they planned to run it again this summer. However, a connection was made between the library staff and the team at Urban Union, a development company currently working on the Pennywell area regeneration. Urban Union offered to sponsor the Breakfast Club providing funding to enable the library staff to expand the service from Saturdays only, to all week long, (except for Sundays when the library is closed).

The Muirhouse Breakfast Club is open Monday – Saturday 10.30 – 11:30am, all summer long at Muirhouse Library and they will also have fruit and health snacks available all day for everyone to help themselves.

Reading Rainbows launch 2019

Around 1,200 four-year-olds across the capital will receive two brand new books each, specially chosen to inspire children to read and share stories.

Reading Rainbows, aims to spark a love of reading amongst under-fives, giving them the best start when they begin school.

Reading Rainbows launch 2019 at Muirhouse Library

The initiative is also designed to support parents and carers to share books and stories with their children, encouraging them to think about sharing books together and to visit libraries more often.

On Thursday 16 May, children from Forthview and Pirniehall nurseries visited Muirhouse Library to receive their Reading Rainbow packs from Councillor Alison Dickie – Vice Convener for education, Children and Famillies. The packs included two brand new books – ‘Everybunny Count!’ by Ellie Sandall and ‘This Zoo is Not for You’ by Ross Collins and enjoyed a visit from Cool Creatures, where they got a chance to meet some new friends up close.

Cool Creatures visit at Reading Rainbows launch

Reading Rainbows is a joint library and Early Years initiative focusing on areas of disadvantage across the city.  It addresses the fact that, in Scotland, children receive free book packs between birth and the age of three and once they turn five from the Scottish Book Trust, but nothing when they are four.

By supplying free literacy gift packs, including two books, a white board and marker and a literacy advice pack for parents and carers, as well as story and craft events, we aim to impact children’s literacy development.

Cool Creatures visit at Reading Rainbows launch

Muirhouse Library Film Club Presents: Wednesday Matinees

Films are better when enjoyed together, on a big screen with popcorn to munch on.

Every fortnight we will be showing a movie on our cinema size screen. Tickets are FREE and so is the popcorn!

We will be showing a range of films from recent blockbusters to all time classics. But we don’t just want to show films we think you want to watch, we want to show films you definitely want to watch. So, let us know, get in touch via email or Facebook with your screening suggestions.

Doors open at 12pm films will start at 12:15pm.

Working with a local community or support group? we are happy to arrange group bookings or private screenings.

For info on planned screenings or to book tickets contact us at the library via email: muirhouse.library@edinburgh.gov.uk Tel: 0131 529 5628 or online via Eventbrite

How Dazzle designs lit up Easter

We ran Dazzle workshops over the Easter holidays in libraries across the city to see what interesting and varied patterns people would come up with for their empty ship outline.

More than 150 people took part over the holidays in events at Central, Moredun, Muirhouse, Oxgangs, Fountainbridge, Wester Hailes, Sighthill, Stockbridge, Granto, Ratho and Sighthill.   As you can see from our pictures there were a variety of techniques and approaches used by people of all ages!

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The resource was really intuitive with children of all ages quickly understanding how the resource works with some people returning to libraries to have another go, improving, refining and redrafting their patterns!

Many people liked colouring-in their patterns but there were interesting experiments with collage, fantastic detailed pencil illustration and bright, vibrant painting.

Feedback said the events were “a bit different” “really interesting” “worked great as a joining-in activity” “would like to see more events for families doing a project together” and “Very welcoming staff. I liked the idea of the project. It would be great if the project was promoted in schools.”

Staff at Granton thought that having examples of different techniques was a useful way to inspire people and create varied outcomes and a member of staff at Wester Hailes used his experience as a draughtsman to design a 3D template based on the initial outline.

The events were our first attempt to do some work on Dazzles with a view to doing more work with schools this term, the forthcoming commemoration for the Battle of Jutland and the unveiling of Ciara Phillips’ Dazzle Ship and close partnership with Edinburgh Art Festival supporting exciting creative activities in libraries over the summer holiday.

Huge thanks to Ellis McKenzie for designing the outline and Out of the Blueprint for RISO printing the beautiful templates, and massive thanks to all the staff in libraries who took made it possible for so many people to Dazzle up their Easter break!

If you’re interested in finding out more about Dazzle or using the resource in your school, library or after-school club contact Colm Linnane on colm.linnane@edinburgh.gov.uk or 0131-242 8121.

Dazzle the Library this Easter!

During the First World War, the artist Norman Wilkinson was stationed on minesweepers in the Mediterranean. He came up with a clever idea to confuse and misguide U-Boat crews who wanted to sink ships.

© Imperial War Museum (Art IWM PST 4624)

Using striking patterns and clashing colour schemes, Dazzle camouflage was put on thousands of ships, many of them stationed at Leith. The Dazzle Unit, stationed at the Royal Academy of the Arts, was composed mostly of women who were students at the RA and who produced designs on paper and onto models.

This Easter, Edinburgh Libraries want to see your Dazzle ideas. Why not come along and try out your ideas on one of our specially designed templates!

We will have events in Central Library, Fountainbridge, Balgreen, Muirhouse, Granton, Sighthill, Wester Hailes, Stockbridge, Ratho and South Queensferry.

Keep an eye on local library Facebook pages and our events calendar for details of what’s happening, there’s something for everyone so get involved!

This is the start of an experiment about doing more with art and design in Edinburgh Libraries.

How could we make Dazzle bigger and better? How could we scale up your designs? What would you like to do once you’ve created your pattern, selected your technique, where will your Dazzle lead you?

Dazzle the Forth has been made possible by partnership between Edinburgh Libraries and City of Edinburgh Council Arts and Creative Learning. The partnership aims to sustain work undertaken on the Heritage Lottery funded Project Kitbag which encouraged young people to respond creatively to the commemoration of the centenary of the First World War using objects and documents from the period as a stimulus.

The template has been designed by local designer Ellis McKenzie and printed using the RISO print studio at Out of the Blueprint, sustaining work Edinburgh Libraries have been doing with #artcore.

For more details about Dazzle in Edinburgh Libraries contact Colm Linnane, Service Development Leader, Edinburgh City Libraries. colm.linnane@edinburgh.gov.uk

Library news round-up

As one month comes to an end and another begins let’s take a quick trip across the city to see what’s been happening in the capital’s libraries.

Much excitement among the members of Muirhouse Library’s children’s garden club as their daffodils and gladoli are beginning to bloom. Spring has almost sprung!

Sticking to the great outdoors, visitors to Portobello, Craigmillar and Piershill Librares have been having their say on the design of the new park in the area.

Meanwhile, Stockbridge Library has been exhibiting pictures by Boris Bittker (1916 -2005). A native New Yorker, Boris was a keen amateur photographer who travelled to many exotic and intriguing countries.

Next, news of some new groups and clubs meeting in libraries:

Satellart is a new group for 8 – 14 year olds in and around Oxgangs which brings together art, science and crafting. At our first meeting on Saturday we looked at the work of Mondrian.

Over at Corstorphine Library we are just about to launch a Colouring-In group for adults and a beginner’s chess club. Details on our web page.

Balerno and Colinton Libraries have both started Friday afternoon knitting clubs for kids. Balerno’s meets at 2.30pm and Colinton’s an hour later.

Star Wars fever is still in full ‘force’ down the road at Currie Library, where youngsters have been hard at work creating  Paper Plate Millennium Falcons and these terrifying Gamorrean Guard masks.

Finally, Many thanks to Tatsuya Yamauchi, Shun Mizobuchi and Kaori Kozakai for bringing a mix of Scottish and Japanese music to Morningside Library.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Muirhouse Writers Group showcase their work

The writers group at Muirhouse Library has been running for nearly four years now, and it has been a great journey for everyone involved.

On Tuesday 24th November at 6.30pm we’ll be launching a booklet of stories written by members of the group. The booklet also details some of the techniques the group use to get their ideas.

There will be readings and talks about the group and how it has given people confidence and helped them develop their skills.

Everyone is welcome to come along to the launch. You never know, you may be inspired to start writing yourself, or even start your own group.

 

Top 10 Robert Louis Stevenson quotations

The fan-tash-tic staff at Muirhouse Library are getting ready to celebrate Robert Louis Stevenson Day this Friday (13 November)

And to get you in the mood here are our top 10 RLS quotations:

Nothing like a little judicious levity.
The Wrong Box, 1889

All speech, written or spoken, is a dead language, until it finds a willing and prepared hearer.
Reflections and remarks on human life, 1898

Fiction is to the grown man what play is to the child; it is there that he changes the atmosphere and tenor of his life.
The Lantern Bearers, 1882

Youth is wholly experimental.
Letter to a Young Gentleman, Scribner’s Magazine, 1888

The body is a house of many windows: there we all sit, showing ourselves and crying on the passers-by to come and love us.
Virginibus Puerisque and Other Papers, 1881

It is a pleasant thing to be young, and have ten toes.
Treasure Island, 1883

All human beings are commingled out of good and evil.
Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, 1886

Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!
Treasure Island, 1883

The difficulty of literature is not to write, but to write what you mean; not to affect your reader, but to effect him precisely as you wish.
Virginibus Puerisque and Other Papers, 1881

The man who forgets to be grateful has fallen asleep in life.
Letters, 1884

See a list of all RLSDay events taking place in Edinburgh on the Edinburgh City of Literature site.

Reading Rainbows at Muirhouse Library

Children from Forthview Primary school celebrate the start of Reading Rainbows 2014 with storyteller Mara Menzies.

The children visibly had a lot of fun looking at their new books but the cutting and sharing of the cake came a very close second!

This year, over 1000 4-year olds across the city will get a free book pack and hopefully, take part in Reading Rainbows events in libraries and Early Years’ Settings.

How to become a better writer

Many of us fancy ourselves as writers but get stuck turning our ideas into stories, poems, plays… or even blog posts.

Well, we might have just the thing to help.

Muirhouse Library’s Writers’ Workshop runs twice a month on Tuesday evenings. It’s a great opportunity to share your ideas and work with like-minded people in a relaxed and constructive environment.

The sessions will take place at 5.30pm on the following Tuesdays: 22nd January, 5th and 19th February, 5th and 19th March and 2nd and 16th April. And it’s free! Contact Muirhouse Library for more information.

Six authors in six libraries: it’s Book Week Scotland

We’re celebrating Book Week Scotland with the help of some very special guests. Book now for the following events:

Alex Gray – Glasgow Queen of Crime!
DI Lorimer is up against the freezing weather and a double serial murder.
Mon 26 November, 6.30-7.45pm at Muirhouse Library. To book call 0131 529 5528 or email muirhouse.library@edinburgh.gov.uk

Ken McClure – Medical Man.
Ken talks about his recent writing and bestselling medical thrillers including ‘Lost Causes’ (June 2011)
Mon 26 November, 6.30-7.45pm at Craigmillar Library. To book call 0131 529 5597 or email craigmillar.library@edinburgh.gov.uk

Doug Johnstone – ‘Hit and Run’
Local writer, musician and journalist, Doug Johnstone talks about his latest book ‘Hit and Run’.
Mon 26 November, 6.30-745pm at Newington Library. To book call 0131 529 5536 or email newington.library@edinburgh.gov.uk

Denise Mina – the End of the Wasp Season
Author of the Garnethill trilogy, Glasgow crime writer and playwright Denise Mina talks about her new book ‘The End of the Wasp Season’ and her writing career.
Mon 26 November, 6.30-7.45pm at Drumbrae Library. To book call 0131 529 5244 or email drumbrae.library@edinburgh.gov.uk

Margaret Bennett – Folklore and Scottish Song
A folksinger and scholar of great sensitivity and versatility, and a ‘major figure of the modern Scottish revival, Margaret embodies all that is best of the spirit of Scotland’. (Hamish Henderson)
Fri 30 November, 10-12am at Oxgangs Library. To book call 0131 529 5549 or email oxgangs.library @edinburgh.gov.uk

Anne Donovan
Prize-winning short story writer and novelist, Anne Donovan’s debut novel Buddha Da was shortlisted for the Orange Prize.
Thurs 29 November, 2.30-3.30pm at McDonald Road Library. To book call 0131 529 5636 or email mcdonaldroad.library@edinburgh.

Celebrating twenty years of Library Link

There are many ways libraries touch lives. One example is Library Link.

Launched in Muirhouse Library in 1992, Library Link provides transport to and from the library for users who, due to physical constraints, would be otherwise unable to visit.

In the library customers choose their books and other materials then join other Link members for a cup of tea and a chat.

Over the past twenty years the service has gone from strength to strength and now covers libraries across the city.

Library Link forms a unique partnership between libraries and the voluntary sector. The WRVS recruit and support volunteer escorts to accompany the link members and transport is provided by organisations such as PEP (Pilton Equalities Project) and SEAG (South Edinburgh Amenities Group).

Over the past few weeks many of our Library Link members have been holding parties to celebrate our twentieth anniversary, as the pictures below show.

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A very special party at Muirhouse Library tomorrow will celebrate the success and continued longevity of Library Link. It will be an opportunity to thank many of the individuals involved and show gratitude to the volunteer organisations that make this partnership work so well.

The schedule for the day will include the introduction of a new Edinburgh City Libraries brochure. ”My  library keeps me out and about” Library services for older people is a new booklet providing information about the various activities and services available to older people in Edinburgh, or anyone who finds it difficult to use their library through disability or illness.

Services highlighted in the brochure include Library2go, Get Up and Go, and Your Edinburgh.

The booklet also provides information about local events and activities including the popular book groups, IT courses and activities for children and grandchildren.

Here’s to the next twenty years!

Photo gallery: causes for celebration

Edinburgh’s Olympic heroes haven’t been the only ones celebrating recently, as our latest photo gallery shows that library users of all ages have had reasons to be cheerful too.

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All over the city children who had completed the Story Lab summer reading challenge got their medals and certificates, including these youngsters from Balerno and Piershill. There was a special treat for Moredun’s Storylabbers as Olympic Torchbearer Ellie Wilson from Liberton High School handed out the gongs.

Other medal winners included David Colvin, whose 20 years of volunteering with the Edinburgh Books on Wheels service was given deserved recognition.

Our final celebrants are Learn IT course graduates Margaret and Bill, who marked their journey from computer novices to whizzes by collecting their certificates at Gilmerton Library.

In other news Bookbug got out in the sunshine and helped sign up dozens of new library members at Colinton’s Art in the Park celebrations, and as for what’s going on at Ratho, well, we’re scared to ask…

Libraries in pictures

Libraries were well and truly gripped by Olympic fever over the past few weeks as our picture gallery shows.

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Granton hosted what we are pretty sure was the first Zumba class to take place in one of our libraries. The  4 to 14 year olds (and library staff) who took part found that keeping fit really can be fun.

Meanwhile, those crafty customers at McDonald Road got to work on a pretty stunning recreation of the Olympic stadium and Sighthill’s knitters were kept busy knitting new medals for Sir Chris.

Away from the Olympics, Muirhouse had a visitor from the distant past and this wee chap at Craigmillar shows it’s never to early to get yourself a library card.

More snaps soon!

How to become a better writer

Many of us fancy ourselves as writers but get stuck turning our ideas into stories, poems, plays… or even blog posts.

Well, we might have just the thing to help.

Starting on Tuesday 24th April writer and playwright Nicholas Kelly will be hosting an ‘Introduction to creative writing’ at Muirhouse Library. Nicholas has extensive experience teaching creative writing and this course should give you the boost you need to get your writing career up and running.

The sessions will take place at 5.30pm at Muirhouse Library on the following Tuesdays: 24th April, 8th May, 22nd May and 5th June. And it’s free! Contact Muirhouse Library (quick!) to book your place

On a similar theme, Muirhouse Library is also the venue for a brand new local writers’ group which will meet at the library on a fortnightly basis. Writers’ groups are great sources of support, networking, discussion and constructive criticism. So if you’d like to join the group just pop along to our first meeting at 6pm on Tuesday 1st May or contact us for more information.