Latest news with #DearLibrary
Edinburgh Reporter
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Reporter
Writers urged to apply for Story Shop places
Writers are encouraged to apply for places on the writer development programme Story Shop run by Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature and the National Library of Scotland before the 20 July deadline. Story Shop began in 2007 and offers authors the opportunity to perform in live storytelling events at the Edinburgh International Festival Bookshop. In 2009 it moved to the Spiegeltent and it has been a launch pad for several writers. It is now coming back in a new format with Story Sessions which will take place during August and emerging writers are urged to apply for a slot. This will link selected authors to the National Library of Scotland's (NLS) Dear Library exhibition sharing their stories about becoming a writer. These will be performed in the National Library's exhibition space where NLS is celebrating the power of books and libraries. The exhibition is named 'Dear Library', after the poem by former Makar Jackie Kay, whose literary archive was acquired by the Library last year. The National Library of Scotland continues its centenary celebrations with a major exhibition celebrating all kinds of libraries, and the books that shaped us. Pic caption: Wester Hailes Librarians & exhibition contributors Jessi Dimmock & Susannah Leake on the library steps Pic Neil Hanna Dr Harriet MacMillan, Director of Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature said:'Story Shop holds a very special place in the heart of many of the city's writers. We thought that our 20th anniversary as the world's first City of Literature was the perfect opportunity to engage with a new cohort of literary talent. Our city has an unparalleled literary heritage, held by the National Library of Scotland; we are so excited to find diverse new voices who will become part of this tradition.' Martha Burns Findlay, Head of Public Programmes at the National Library of Scotland said:'The National Library of Scotland is a home of writers' archives and a treasure trove of stories, so we're delighted to be collaborating with Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature on the upcoming Story Sessions. Our exhibition 'Dear Library' will provide a unique backdrop for this event series. Guest writers will be nestled amongst the books in our pop-up reading room – it's sure to be a memorable experience for all.' Dear Library Story Sessions is a development opportunity and showcase for writers based in Edinburgh that are comfortable performing and sharing the books that have inspired their writing. Produced by Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature, it takes place 12 – 14, and 19 – 21 August, Tues – Thursday, at midday – free and ticketed – in the National Library's exhibition space. Dear Library Story Sessions is ticketed on the Fringe programme online. Submissions for writers to apply close on Sunday 20 July 2025. You can find out more information about the Story Sessions callout and how to submit via the website: The National Library of Scotland continues its centenary celebrations with a major exhibition celebrating all kinds of libraries, and the books that shaped us. Pic caption: Wester Hailes Librarians and exhibition contributors Susannah Leake & Jessi Dimmock read to Jo Stevenson with her son Sonny (aged5) Pic Neil Hanna Like this: Like Related
Scotsman
27-06-2025
- General
- Scotsman
Dear Library, thanks for a lifetime of enjoyment with books
I can't wait to pop into the National Library to see their new exhibition, Dear Library, which marks the library's 100th birthday. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Books and libraries have been an important part of my life from when I was a toddler. Today, I am lucky enough to live within a very short walking distance of my local library. The National Library is just down the road and with my library card, I can even go online and read glossy magazines to my heart's content. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Borrowing my fortnightly fix of books was rather more of a challenge growing up in rural south west Scotland, which is why my mother and I were delighted when a mobile library started in our area. She died very recently, peacefully in her bed, surrounded by books and some of my fondest memories of her are the times we spent together choosing books to read. We shared many of the same taste in authors, though she was rather taken aback when, as a rebellious 14-year-old, I came home with a copy of Das Kapital by Karl Marx. 'I think you will find it heavy-going,' she predicted. She was right. I don't remember getting past the first chapter. Catcher in the Rye was more my style. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Little did I dream when I was poring over Jean Plaidy's historical novels or losing myself in F Scott Fitzgerald's magical prose that one day I too would be an author. At the ripe old age of 60, I embarked on a new, (very) part-time career as a writer of non-fiction. My first book, published at the peak of the pandemic, tells the story of Malawi, one of the world's poorest countries. My husband and I spent six months living there in 2019, interviewing scores of people from the then Vice-President to a traditional midwife. The Spirit of Malawi was not a best seller and the book's research cost me far, far more than the modest royalties I received, but it was the proudest day of my life when it was published. And last year, I was privileged to co-edit The Women Who Wouldn't Wheesht with my good friend, Lucy Hunter Blackburn. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Working on my kitchen table, we pulled together essays from more than 30 women telling the story of the five-year campaign to protect women's rights. To our huge surprise and delight, the book made the Sunday Times best seller list, and last month Lucy and I were pleased to be able to use proceeds from the book to support a charity working with women who are silenced elsewhere in the world. The Dear Library exhibition features books recommended by the public, as well as by famous authors including Ian Rankin and Val McDermid. Of course, I don't expect to see one of my books on display, not even the bestseller, but I am still very excited at the prospect of seeing which books were chosen. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad If I had to pick the one book that changed my life, it would be The Secret Seven, the first in Enid Blyton's famous series about a group of kids who solve mysteries. And the worst book I have ever read? Das Kapital, of course.
The Herald Scotland
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
National Library of Scotland unveils centenary exhibition
To host the organisation, the library's exhibition space at George IV Bridge has been transformed into a reading room filled with recommendations from the public and some of Scotland's best-known faces. Western Hails librarian Jessi Dimmock reading to Jo Stevenson and three-year-old Sonny (Image: Neil Hanna) Amina Shah, national librarian, said: "Developing this exhibition has been a labour of love for us, as we have chosen to use our centenary year to shine a spotlight on the power of libraries. "We kicked off our 'Love Libraries' campaign in February, which shouts about all the great work libraries and librarians do. "This exhibition complements the campaign. "Libraries change lives. "They empower individuals and the communities they belong to." "The library sector has a proud shared history of working together to make sure everyone can benefit from access to information, stories, culture and knowledge – from school libraries to universities, mobile libraries to specialised archives – many of whom have contributed to this exhibition. "We expect library fans and book lovers will visit this exhibition multiple times – there's so much to celebrate and discover.' Read more: National Library of Scotland unveils 'landmark' centenary programme Here's a funny thing about summer in Scotland... 'Paul Buchanan's singing actually reminds me of Miles Davis's trumpet playing' Credit: Neil Hanna Wester Hailes librarians Jessi Dimmock and Susannah Leake on the main staircase of the National Library of Scotland in celebration of the opening of its centenary exhibition Dear Library (Image: Neil Hanna) As part of the exhibition, the Library has ditched the practice of displaying items in glass cases, instead encouraging people to browse the shelves and examine any item that piques their interest. The books featured were suggested through a public call-out for the books that shaped people's lives. They also include recommendations from Damian Barr, Val McDermid, Alan Cumming, Gemma Cairney, Sir Ian Rankin, Lauren Mayberry, and Pat Nevin. The exhibition also showcases the role of libraries and librarians in popular culture, banners, and badges used in protests against library closures, and vintage film footage of libraries from the past. There is plenty for children too, with a Bookbug trail, a Lego model of a library, and a makerspace where people can create their own library card or placard. Kirsten MacQuarrie from CILIPS (Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals in Scotland), next to the protest banner she has loaned to the National Library of Scotland's Centenary exhibition Dear Library (Image: Neil Hanna) Specialist libraries from across the country have loaned items to the exhibition, including: the Glasgow Women's Library, The Nature Library, Making Public's Press (formerly Skye Zine Library), Innerpeffray Library, and the Library of Mistakes. These items show the variety of things libraries collect, including a bird's nest and rare books from Scotland's first free public lending library. Angus Robertson, Culture Secretary, said: "The National Library has been a cornerstone of our nation's cultural life for generations. "This exhibition is a direct reflection of the impact libraries have had, bringing together just some of the books and objects that have helped to shape our country and the people who live here. "Whether you are a regular borrower or first-time visitor, I would encourage everyone to visit this remarkable exhibition and re-discover the profound impact that libraries have had on our lives and communities." Teresa Elsmore with a Lego library model which forms part of the National Library of Scotland's centenary exhibition (Image: Neil Hanna) Dear Library opens on Friday, June 20, and will run until April 2026. Entry is free and the exhibition is open during library hours, Monday to Saturday. Further details of the Library's centenary celebrations are available to view on the National Library of Scotland website.
