The Library of Mistakes

The Library of Mistakes

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A free public library to support the study of financial and business history. Changing the world, one mistake at a time.

28/04/2026

🎤 A very special episode of Shelf Life this time! The talented young women of Future Asset (one of the Library’s sister charities) have staged a takeover of the podcast.

Recorded at the annual Future Asset finals in Edinburgh (at which teams of girls from Scottish schools compete to present the most effective investment pitch), we discover why Future Asset is so valuable in encouraging young women to consider a career in investment and finance.

This episode is presented by Future Asset alumnus Grace London, who spoke to the charity’s Communication Coordinator Jemma McLean, this year’s winning team from Hamilton Grammar School, fellow alumnus Jenna Donnelly (now a Financial Analysis Apprentice at M&G), and one of the competition judges, Mandy Rawlinson – Head of UK & EMEA at Aberdeen Investments.

Find the full Library of Mistakes podcast on your usual platforms, and learn more about Future Asset at www.futureasset.org.uk

Photos from Adam Smith Global Foundation's post 23/04/2026

Great to collaborate on this with the wonderful Adam Smith Global Foundation at the great man's former home in Kirkcaldy!

26/03/2026

🏰 The much-anticipated 2026 took place on 20-22 March, with leading investment and economic thinkers such as Russell Napier, and Helen Thompson entertaining an enthusiastic audience gathered from across the UK and far beyond. Topics included football finance, the water industry, a guide for countries hoping to avoid going bust, and the mafia’s unlikely role in shaping q***r nightlife.

It all took place in the stunning setting of Hay Castle in Hay-on-Wye on the Welsh border – and our very own Leila Johnston () was there. Find the LoM podcast on your platform of choice to hear her report from a lively and thought-provoking weekend, and hear from several of the speakers and guests that she met.

17/03/2026

🧑‍🎓👩‍🎓Students! Come and see us tomorrow! Meet likeminded students, find out what the library has to offer you, and enjoy a free drink on us. 🥂🍾

11/03/2026

Join us in Hay on Wye in just over a week’s time for the wonderful annual 🎉

11/03/2026

Still time! We’re running fascinating panel discussions all this week in the library, celebrating Kirkcaldy’s most famously son, Adam Smith, and his world-changing book “The Wealth of Nations” — published 250 years ago this week. Grab a ticket from our website.

05/02/2026

We have a very special series of events coming up next month to celebrate one of the world’s most preeminent philosophers/economists — our own Adam Smith. We are marking the 250th anniversary of the publication of his seminal Wealth of Nations with a festival of five conversations, each covering an important topic in the discourse of how we allocate resources and manage our economy.

The Smith on series – Smith on Inequality, Smith on Wealth, Smith on Capitalism, Smith on Power, Smith on Education – were conceived and curated by our errorist-in-residence Robbie Mochrie and will include contributions from some of the most preeminent experts in each subject.

Set aside the week of the 9th of March – they take place at 6:30 PM every evening from Monday through to Friday – to break new ground in how Adam Smith still speaks to us today.

🎟️Tickets available from our website.

Photos from The Library of Mistakes's post 09/12/2025

Get 2026 off to a flying start— treat yourself to membership of the Library of Mistakes! Check out all the wonderful things you get for just £10 a month, and get in touch with [email protected] to sign up. Join us!

Photos from The Library of Mistakes's post 09/12/2025

5️⃣0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣

🥳The 5,000th title in our catalogue is now on display! What a moment. It’s “The Economist’s World Ahead 2026’ and you can come and check it out anytime. See our site for regular open days and events, or book a private visit. The whole collection now runs to about 5,700 volumes 🤯

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33A Melville Street Lane
Edinburgh
EH37QB

Opening Hours

Monday 9:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 12am - 12:15am