Muirhouse Instrument Library

Muirhouse Musical Instrument Library!

Tales of One City

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…

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Here’s one I prepared earlier: a guide to promoting your collections – event report

Yesterday I attended CILIPS East Branch‘s afternoon event exploring some different ways to promote our library collections. It took place at the NLS, and over a few hours we were presented with three very different methods of “exhibiting” materials.

Gordon Yeoman, Exhibitions Conservator, National Library of Scotland
Gordon gave us a run down of what goes into putting on a large exhibition such as Northern Lights, the Scottish Enlightenment (currently running at NLS). His team of six people also work with curators and other NLS staff to present smaller exhibitions in various places around the library. This talk was followed by half an hour in which we were actually able to go and view the exhibit. It looks wonderful.

Calum McGhie, Customer Service Manager, Blackwell’s Bookshop, Edinburgh
I found this section particularly interesting. Though it was less from an exhibition viewpoint and more that it gave me ideas of how we might better communicate with our users around the library using ‘shelf talkers’, as they do in bookshops.

Graeme Hawley, Head of General Collections, National Library of Scotland
The ever entertaining Mr Hawley spoke engagingly about the exhibition he wasn’t able to make into an exhibition (because the Enlightenment exhibit was using the space). Instead he built a website of long-read essays and films to tell the story of the decade which (he argues) is responsible for making the world we live in today. You can visit his website here: Back to the future: 1979-1989.

This was a very enjoyable afternoon and I was really impressed by the unusual (perhaps even quirky!) takes on the idea of ‘exhibitions’. Thanks CILIPS East.

 

Scottish Parliament Oral History Project Book

The Scottish Parliament Oral History Project has compiled a series of interviews with staff, MSPs and journalists regarding their careers and experiences at the Scottish Parliament. These interviews captured a rich array of material, shining new light on the Parliament’s history.

This book accompanying the project compiles extracts from these interviews, shining new light on the Parliament’s history, telling the story of Parliament through those who have helped shape it over the last 20 years.

Information and interviews about the  oral history project including the associated book are available online, and the book is available to purchase at all leading bookshops.

ELISA AGM 2019 – reminder!

ELISA’s 2019 AGM is this Thursday, 20th June, at 3-5pm in the George Washington Browne room of Edinburgh Central Library.

There will be refreshments and networking, as well as the chance to hear about some treasures of Edinburgh Libraries.

Please remember to register via Eventbrite

ELISA AGM 2019

The ELISA AGM this year will take place on Thursday 20th June, 3-5pm, in the George Washington Browne room of the Central Library. There will be refreshments and the opportunity for networking. Also, as a bonus, we will hear about some of the treasures of Edinburgh Libraries.

Please register your intention to attend via Eventbrite:

Here’s one I prepared earlier: a guide to promoting your collections

Cilips East Branch is hosting an inspiring afternoon looking at how three very different ‘collections’ have been promoted. Ranging from practical bookstore display techniques to creating online exhibitions and large displays; this event will share tricks and tips useful for every library, no matter how large or small the collection.

Speakers:

Gordon Yeoman, Exhibitions Conservator, National Library of Scotland

Sharing the secrets of putting together large exhibitions.

Graeme Hawley, Head of General Collections

Doing ‘an exhibition’ differently.

Calum McGhie, Customer Service Manager, Blackwell’s Bookshop, Edinburgh.

Attracting customers and promoting book stock using eye-catching displays.

Event Details:

• Monday 24^th June 2019, 2-5pm
• National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh, EH1 1EW
• £10 Cilips Members
• £15 non-members
• Register here: https://www.cilips.org.uk/events/heres-one-i-prepared-earlier-a-guide-to-promoting-your-collections/

There will be an opportunity for attendees to walk to Blackwell’s Bookshop to view table and window displays after the event.

Please note that Spaces are limited.

Please direct any questions about this event to Julie Sutherland: Chair, Cilips East Branch julie.sutherland@forrester.edin.sch.uk

ELISA Libraries Fair – Beyond the bookshelves

Tales of One City

Central Library is delighted to be hosting the Edinburgh Libraries and Information Services Agency (ELISA) Libraries Fair on the mezzanine level on Saturday 23 March, 1.30 – 4pm.

Come along and find out about the wide and diverse array of libraries in Edinburgh and to discover how you can get an ELISA library passport to enable you to gain access to these other libraries across Edinburgh.

There are many different libraries in Edinburgh and the Libraries Fair invites you to meet representatives from a range of libraries all under one roof. Libraries taking part include:
Edinburgh City Libraries
Edinburgh Zine Library
French Institute Library
National Library of Scotland
Royal Botanic Garden Library and Archive
Scottish Poetry Library
University of Edinburgh including the Centre for Research Collections.

There will be a free (but ticketed) family-friendly storytelling session with Janis Mackay, live music, a mini drop-in zine workshop and badgemaking.

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