JA Condie

The people who helped shape Edinburgh Libraries: the tradesmen who built Central Library

“The contractors began operations on the 17 Nov [1887]…. excavating area of site and carting away stuff”.
So began the building of Central Library.

Tales of One City

When the doors of Edinburgh Central Library were formally opened on Monday 9 June 1890, it was the fulfilment of many years preparation.

Selected design for Edinburgh Public Library, elevation to George IV Bridge and plans for third and fourth floors, by George Washington Browne, 1887

In our collections, we have two volumes of handwritten ledgers kept by the then Clerk of Works, William Bruce, which record in detail the building works as they progressed.

Clerk of Works’ record books for Edinburgh Public Library

We know from the record books that preparation work had begun as early as 1879 when it was recorded that “Official tests of Pentland Cement” were being methodically undertaken. The pages are filled with neat notes with details such as the amount of cement used, how many days the cement had been set for, and the amount of shrinkage.

On the 18 November 1887, the…

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cdonlan

ELISA Open Forum -12/12/2018

The annual ELISA Forum will be held on Wednesday 12th December at the NLS starting at 2:00pm.

The theme of the event is Doing things Differently

There will be a number of exciting presentations including:

  • Using Lego to Teach Referencing
  • Access to Own and auto-upgrades for eBook purchases
  • Training and digital literacy
  • Librarians Uncorked
  • NLS Fashion

Tickets are available on Eventbrite 

Refreshments will be provided and there will be opportunities for networking and socialising.

 

 

 

Fiona Laing

Artwork from some of Scotland’s most talented student photographers is on display at the Scottish Parliament until 8 February 2019.

The exhibition – Higher Vision – will showcase some of the best photographs taken by 26 students from schools and colleges from all over Scotland who have completed the Scottish Qualifications Authority’s Higher Photography course over the past year.

Fiona Laing

Gutenberg Bible on display 22nd November 2018

To mark Book Week Scotland 2018 and the 550th anniversary of the death of Johannes Gutenberg, one of the National Library’s most treasured items, the Gutenberg Bible is being shown publicly, for one day only, on the Thursday 22 November
 10.00-18.00 in the National Library of Scotland,  George IV Bridge, Edinburgh.  No need to book. Read more

JA Condie

The Ballad of Muriel Spark – Scottish Poetry Library event

Wrapped in this liquid turmoil who can say / Which is the mighty echo, which the spray? Muriel Spark’s poetry inspires a musical event at the SPL based on her poetry. Composer Jessica Danz has written a new piece for string quartet. Wed 14 Nov (£8/£6)

Tickets via Eventbrite

cdonlan

ELISA visit to Lloyds Bank’s Archives – Thursday 8th November

Tomorrow, Thursday November 8th, at 2:00pm there is a visit to Lloyds Bank’s archives at Sighthill in Edinburgh. The Archivist at Lloyds’ will conduct a tour of the Bank’s archive stores.

The visit offers an opportunity to learn more about records management and enquiry handling within a private-sector organisation and compare this with the practice of, say, the National Records of Scotland, recently visited by ELISA.

This visit is open to all and will have a broad appeal to colleagues working in conservation and with local and family history records.
There are some tickets still available via Eventbrite 

bank note

Fiona Laing

World War One resources from Edinburgh Libraries

Tales of One City

A few years ago, like so many other heritage, cultural and community organisations, we started to look at how we could mark the centenary anniversary of World War One, recognising that this momentous time would provide opportunity for research and reflection.

We delved into our collections to see what material had significance and wide appeal. After we had started making material available online, we were also contacted by individuals who had unique items and memories they wanted to share.

Here are a few of the highlights from our WW1 collections that you can browse online:

Edinburgh in World War One – 1914-1918 on Our Town Stories
This story describes the impact of World War One on the people at home. Read out about the zeppelin raid, the Gretna Rail Disaster, the city’s football heroes, recuperating war poets and pioneering female doctor, Elsie Inglis.

Ethel Moir’s diaries on Capital Collections
“We…

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