Historical newspapers of Edinburgh

Delving into the past with historical newspapers of Edinburgh

Cataloguing the Edinburgh and Scottish manuscript collection: a collaboration with the Old Edinburgh Club (parts four and five)

Cataloguing the Edinburgh and Scottish manuscript collection: a collaboration with the Old Edinburgh Club – part four

Cataloguing the Edinburgh and Scottish manuscript collection: a collaboration with the Old Edinburgh Club – part five

NRS: Morison’s Haven – Part 1

Morison’s Haven – Part 1

Thomas Ross and St Giles Cathedral

Thomas Ross and St Giles Cathedral

Cataloguing the Edinburgh and Scottish manuscript collection: a collaboration between Edinburgh Libraries and the Old Edinburgh Club (parts 1 to 3)

Cataloguing the Edinburgh and Scottish manuscript collection: a collaboration with the Old Edinburgh Club – part one

Cataloguing the Edinburgh and Scottish manuscript collection: a collaboration with the Old Edinburgh Club – part two

Cataloguing the Edinburgh and Scottish manuscript collection: a collaboration with the Old Edinburgh Club – part three

ELISA Library and archive visits – coming soon!

ELISA have two exciting visits coming up soon and tickets are available now.

On October 8th at 2:00pm there is a visit to Historic Environment Scotland.
This will include an introduction to HES’ work and its Archive and collections with the opportunity to ask questions about the Canmore database, Scran, PastMap and ScotlandsPlaces.
There will also be a tour of the Search Room at HES’ Archives and other points of interest in the building.
Tickets are available via Eventbrite 

On November 8th 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.
Tickets are available via Eventbrite 

Godfrey Hilton Thomson: The man who tested Scotland’s IQ – exhibition

Ornella Pantani from the Main Library Helpdesk at Edinburgh University has submitted  a wee post about their current exhibition:

Have you been a fan of the latest BBC programme ‘How to Stay Young?’. In this case, like me, you will have quite a surprise if you happen to go to the exhibition currently on display until the 26 November in the Exhibition Gallery, Main Library, University of Edinburgh, George Square. The Exhibition explores the pioneering and ground-breaking work in the field of educational research conducted by Professor Sir Godfrey Hilton Thomson, aimed to test the intelligence of every 11-year-old in Scotland.

In the last episode of the BBC programme, they went to Edinburgh to meet some of the very people that were involved in this original study, which represents in its totality the largest-scale of IQ test in Europe. So I’ve found very fascinating to learn in more details about this project, its creator, the way it was developed and its importance.

The Exhibition covers the professional life as well as the personal life of Professor Sir Godfrey Hilton Thomson, giving a full story of the man, his vision and achievements.

A very enjoyable and informative display for all to see.

The exhibition is free and is open Monday to Saturday, 10am – 5pm.

Thanks Ornella!

 

 

 

National Mining Museum visit, June 2016

On the 23rd June 2016 I took part in a fascinating visit to the National Mining Museum Scotland Library & Archive at Lady Victoria Colliery, Newtongrange.

The Museum has a large and varied archive, which includes from the records of the Lothian Coal Company, minute books and papers of the National Union of Mineworkers, and a collection of over 30000 largely National Coal Board plans and engineering drawings.

We were welcomed by the Keeper, Ellie Swinbank, who gave us into the hands of two friendly and knowledgeable volunteers for a tour.

George and Andrew, volunteers and mining experts

we are enthralled

Andrew pointing out something of interest

National Mining Museum Scotland Library & Archive

Although there is no library professional employed there, George and Andrew are both ex employees of the mine with expert knowledge in the field. They generously showed us round their surprisingly varied collection.

geological maps

Much of their work involves answering queries and helping with research. Any enquiries should be directed to Keeper Ellie Swinbank in the first instance.

a portrait of Lady Victoria

miner’s journal from the 70s!

from the mining exhibition

After the library tour Ellie invited us to visit the main museum exhibition. This was excellent and I’d like to go back when I can take time to look around more. I’m also keen to take the pithead tour!

@VeryFineLibrary @elisaEDINBURGH Great to meet you all and glad you enjoyed it!

— NationalMiningMuseum (@NatMiningMuseum) June 23, 2016

Thanks to Julie Arnot for organising this event.

Instructions for library staff – a trip back in time – part 2

“art students”

As promised, Tales from one city have posted more crazy instructions for library staff of the past. These posts paint the library staff as a bunch of odd, mistrustful kill-joys… a very far cry from the jolly folk of today! Still – it’s fun to laugh at the quaint ways of yore – so you can view the full post here.

Future Libraries event

Future Libraries – the next 125 years 

Tuesday 9 June 2015, 7pm
Edinburgh Central Library

“We trust that this Library is to grow in usefulness year after year, and prove one of the most potent agencies for the good of the people for all time to come” – said Andrew Carnegie, our benefactor, in 1890

How do we make sure this holds true for the next 125 years? Come hear our panel discuss what’s happening next for libraries, as Edinburgh City Libraries celebrate their 125th birthday, week beginning 8th June 2015.

Speakers taking part include:

• John Scally – (National Librarian and Chief Executive)
• Philippa Cochrane – (Scottish Book Trust, Reader Development)
• Prof. Hazel Hall- (Napier University- Professor of Social Informatics – information sharing in online environments)
• Duncan Wright – Senior School Librarian at Stewart’s Melville College.

Chaired by Jeanette Castle, President of CILIPS Scotland (Chartered Intsitute of Library and Information Professionals) and introduced by Martina McChrystal, Acting Library and Information Services Manager, City of Edinburgh Council.

Register via Eventbrite