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Edinburgh Central Library

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There’s nothing I love more than the Edinburgh library system that connects all local libraries into one and lets me order my books online for pick up 💛

The Edinburgh Central Library used to be my nearest local library when I lived in the city centre and its exterior is one of the prettiest buildings in the city.

#edinburghblogger #visitedinburgh #ukbookshops #library #booksta taken in Edinburgh, United Kingdom by @edcentrallib

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4 months ago

After posting my first post about @edcentrallib (that went very viral) they kindly reached out to me and told me that I missed out on seeing one of the best part of the Edinburgh Central Library, and that is their references department!

If you enter into the building and make your way up the stairs, you’ll find a beautiful domed roof library right in the centre of Edinburgh, perfect for studying or working on your next great novel 👀📚

#edinburghblogger #visitedinburgh #ukbookshops #library #booksta taken in Edinburgh, United Kingdom by @edcentrallib

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Our #ReferenceLibrary has the unique feature of having galleries built above our book bays which are accessible through winding staircases hidden behind concealed doors! Customers can request to consult any of the books within the gallery and a staff member will be happy to make the journey through the gallery’s charming alleys to fetch it for you!

Most of the books in the Reference gallery are on World history.

#EdinburghCentralLibrary #OldLibrary #BeautifulLibrary #LibrariesOfInstagram #LibrariesoftheWorld #ReferenceLibrary #AntiquarianBooks #LibraryDesign #Library #EdinburghLibraries #Academia taken in Edinburgh Central Library by @edcentrallib

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2 years ago

🎂 Happy 340th Birthday, Allan Ramsay! 🎂

Born on this day in 1686, Allan Ramsay was one of Scotland’s most celebrated poets, and we hold a very special piece of his legacy right here at Edinburgh Central Library.

Our copy of The Gentle Shepherd (Glasgow, 1788), beautifully illustrated with 12 aquatints by David Allan, was presented to Robert Burns himself by his friend Alexander Cunningham on 4th April 1794, with the inscription in Cunningham’s own hand still there to see on the flyleaf.

Burns had long admired this edition. Writing to Cunningham, he called it the finest pastoral work in the world, and lamented that he could not afford to buy it. Cunningham made sure his friend got his copy after all. 🖊️

#AllanRamsay #RobertBurns #ScottishLiterature #GentleShepherd #EdinburghCentralLibrary by @edcentrallib

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2 days ago

***Black History Month 2026 in the Art & Design Library***

To mark the 25th anniversary of a uniquely Scottish Black History Month, we have created a display to honour the work and achievements of five Scottish and Scotland-based Black artists.

The artists are: printmaker, painter and sculptor, Ade Adesina RSA; documentary photographer and community-development and education worker, Sandra George, (1957–2013); visual artist and curator, Sekai Machache; artist, writer, curator and activist, Maud Sulter (1960–2008); and multidisciplinary artist, Alberta Whittle.

The display showcases examples of each artist's work found in books and journals in our collections and is accompanied by a booklet containing a biography
and website for each artist as well as a statement about their work in the artist's own words.

Black History Month Scotland and its programme of activities was founded in 2001 and has been organised each year since by the Glasgow-based Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights (CRER).

#blackhistorymonthscotland2026 #artanddesignlibrary #edinburghcentrallibrary #blackartists #scotland #adeadesina #sandrageorge #sekaimachache #maudsulter #albertawhittle #coalitionforracialequalityandrights #crer Black History Month display over two shelves a small glass-front display cabinet. The display includes books and journal articles featuring photographs of the artists' work and portraits. by @edcentrallib

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5 days ago

Dreamscapes and Cityscapes: the October exhibition in the Art & Design Library

This month the Art & Design Library is delighted to host Edinburgh-based painter Michael McGovern with an exhibition inspired by Edinburgh and nature.

Michael writes, "I find Edinburgh mesmerising: its age and history set against the modern, its detailed weathered sandstone architecture contrasted by sleek contemporary shapes. I’m fascinated by the way light and water interact with the city’s buildings, and how familiar forms change at different times of day. I enjoy finding new and creative ways of rendering what I see every day, bringing a sense of playful confidence and fun to the familiar.

In my dreamscapes, I want to evoke wonder, curiosity, simple pleasure, escapism and fantasy. Nature continually humbles and beguiles me, inviting imagination and a sense of possibility."

The exhibition is open until Friday 30 October and all the exhibited works are for sale.

Find out more about Michael and his work on Edinburgh Libraries Tales of One City blog.

#artanddesignlibrary #edinburghcentrallibrary #paintingexhibition #contemporaryart #edinburghexhibitions #cityscapes #dreamscapes by @edcentrallib

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7 days ago

JOIN US TOMORROW!!

🎼Music on the Mezzanine continues tomorrow, Saturday, 10th October at 1:00 PM, as we welcome the Edinburgh University Early Music Ensemble🎵🎶🎵🎶

The Edinburgh University Early Music Ensemble is an new ensemble in central Edinburgh, made up mainly of current and former students. The ensemble aims to provide an opportunity for the university's community to appreciate and play historical music. The ensemble have a flexible makeup including winds, strings, vocals, percussion and brass, with their repertoire consisting of original arrangements of music from the European Medieval and Renaissance periods. The instruments include both reconstructions and experimental re-imaginings, with the aim of bringing early music back to life into today's world!

Please visit our Ticketsource page for further information and free tickets: https://www.ticketsource.com/edinburgh-central-library

Ticketsource says it is going to be another busy Saturday but please come along anyway. We Look forward to seeing you there!

📍 Mezzanine level, Library
📅 Saturday 10th October
🕐 1:00 PM

#EdinburghCentralLibrary #EdinburghLibraries #freeconcerts #freemusicevents #WhatsOnEdinburgh #MusicOnTheMezzanine by @edcentrallib

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8 days ago

Oh, pretty things..!

Did you know we have a wonderful collection of artists’ books in our special collections?
Once a year we have an exhibition down in the mezzanine cabinets, and we hold workshops with a local bookmaker and printmaker, Susie Wilson (@susiewilson_) - keep your eyes peeled!

Please do explore our library catalogue where all items are listed. We also have a folder of listings up in the Art and Design Library where books are available for pre-arranged viewings (group visits are preferred) – visits like this one from a group of librarians from Lithuania.

Work on display by artists includes - Jane Hyslop (@janehyslop), Natalie D’Arbeloff, David Faithfull (@davidfaithfull), Joanna Robson (@joannakrobson), Cécile (cé) Simonis (@cesimonis), Susie Wilson (@susiewilson_), Anupa Gardner (@anupa.gardner), Ed Ruscha, Sol LeWitt, Isobel Lewis (@the_kelpie_press), Frances Law (@franhlaw), Hamish Fulton, Karen Akester (@karen.akester), Susie Leiper (@susieleiper). Photograph from above of two wooden desks displaying handmade artists' books in a library. by @edcentrallib

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10 days ago

Catch the wave 🌊 Push the Boat Out, Edinburgh's International Poetry Festival, is back at The Pleasance, 12–15 November!

Four days of poetry, performance, music and conversation with poets and artists from Scotland and around the world.

Get ahead of the festival at Central Library: grab a brochure and borrow books by Jackie Kay, Kirsty Logan, Hannah Lavery, Joseph Coelho, Kwame Dawes and more from our poetry collection 📚

Full programme and tickets at pushtheboatout.org (link in bio) ✨

#PushTheBoatOut #EdinburghPoetry #Poetry #ThePleasance #PoetryFestival #EdinburghEvents by @edcentrallib

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11 days ago

A few lovely photos from our free library events @edcentrallib this week!

We had the most wonderful time and wanted to say a big thank you to everyone who came along and of course the lovely authors who gave their time!

Tickets available for the main festival on Saturday 24th October at the link in our bio and at https://www.tickettailor.com/events/edinburghwomensfictionfestival1

#edinburgh #ewff #library #bookfestival taken in Edinburgh Central Library by @edcentrallib

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15 days ago

NOW SOLD OUT!

In collaboration with @edcentrallib we are proud to present this exciting workshop with Angela Jackson!

Reserve your spot below! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/writing-workshop-with-angela-jackson-edinburgh-womens-fiction-festival-tickets-2000391580065?aff=oddtdtcreator

#edinburgh #bookfestival #writingworkshop #library #locallibrary by @edcentrallib

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23 days ago

Whether you’re researching, studying or just need somewhere beautiful to think, our Reference Room is open to all. We offer free WIFI, charging ports, and a collection of a third of a million items.📖

#DarkAcademia #LibraryLife #Edinburgh #BeautifulLibrary #EdinburghArchitecture taken in Edinburgh Central Library by @edcentrallib

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23 days ago