The Library of Mistakes

Directions Website Contact the organisation

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

27/10/2026

🤖 We’re getting well into AI here at the LoM at the moment. Ellie Howard and Chris Stokel-Walker discuss the current picture with Errorist in Residence Robbie Mochrie, in this episode. Find the Library of Mistakes podcast in all the usual places and click the link in the bio to grab a ticket 🎟️ to a session at our full Weekend of AI activities at Library of Mistakes this weekend!! Ellie and Chris will be there on Friday!

21/10/2026

🎤 Check out this fascinating conversation between two of our Weekend of AI speakers — Eve Poole and Vladimir Maltsev — ahead of the big event. You can find the Library Of Mistakes podcast on all main podcast platforms.

🎟️ Tickets to the Weekend of AI in bio!

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/weekend-of-ai-tickets-2002195653096?aff=oddtdtcreator

Everyone wants to talk about AI, so we’re putting together a set of conversations with a distinctive tone so that they will rise effortlessly above the chatter. They’ll be serious, of course, but also wide-ranging and imaginative – exactly what our errorists have come to expect.

This AI moment could change everything. We might be living in the shadow of an extinction event. Or perhaps living through the early years of an age of abundance, in which all our jobs will vanish. And maybe all that is hype to puff up pre-IPO valuations. Whatever it turns out to be, young people should live through several decades of this huge social transformation, so the Weekend will start on Friday 30th October, thinking especially about students’ concerns about how to use AI and how to thrive as it becomes ever-present.

We’ll use the Friday workshops as a springboard for the discussions on Saturday 31st October and Sunday 1st November, where you can expect us to try and cover what AI is, what might happen to the economy, who AI will be good for, how its emergence will affect investment management, how to approach new risks to security and organisational governance, and even what it will mean to be human while living with AI.

It’s Halloween on Saturday, so expect there to be a screening of a classic film – more to be revealed, but it should be pretty special. And we’ll wrap up the weekend with a workshop which will reflect on everything that we’ve heard, giving it a uniquely creative twist.

More info coming!

🎟️ Tickets in bio! https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/weekend-of-ai-tickets-2002195653096?aff=oddtdtcreatorEveryone wants to...
20/10/2026

🎟️ Tickets in bio!

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/weekend-of-ai-tickets-2002195653096?aff=oddtdtcreator

Everyone wants to talk about AI, so we’re putting together a set of conversations with a distinctive tone so that they will rise effortlessly above the chatter. They’ll be serious, of course, but also wide-ranging and imaginative – exactly what our errorists have come to expect.

This AI moment could change everything. We might be living in the shadow of an extinction event. Or perhaps living through the early years of an age of abundance, in which all our jobs will vanish. And maybe all that is hype to puff up pre-IPO valuations. Whatever it turns out to be, young people should live through several decades of this huge social transformation, so the Weekend will start on Friday 30th October, thinking especially about students’ concerns about how to use AI and how to thrive as it becomes ever-present.

We’ll use the Friday workshops as a springboard for the discussions on Saturday 31st October and Sunday 1st November, where you can expect us to try and cover what AI is, what might happen to the economy, who AI will be good for, how its emergence will affect investment management, how to approach new risks to security and organisational governance, and even what it will mean to be human while living with AI.

It’s Halloween on Saturday, so expect there to be a screening of a classic film – more to be revealed, but it should be pretty special. And we’ll wrap up the weekend with a workshop which will reflect on everything that we’ve heard, giving it a uniquely creative twist.

More info coming!

19/06/2026

🎙️New podcast episode!

We have a real treat for you in this episode as we hear from financial crime expert Anja Shortland. After books on art theft and kidnapping, Anja’s latest book (We Know You Can Pay a Million) explores the huge threat of ransomware, providing fascinating glimpses into the business practices of the international criminals involved.
Fraser Allen and Leila Johnston also hear from Jemma McLean of Future Asset regarding recent celebrations of the 250th anniversary of Adam Smith’s Wealth of Nations, while David Clarke bids a fond farewell to our brilliant librarian Helen Williams.

www.libraryofmistakes.com

19/05/2026

🎤 New podcast episode! Join us in Montreal as we speak with François Boutin-Dufresne who, together with Karl Gauvin, is co-founder of the Observatoire des Erreurs – Canada’s very own version of the Library of Mistakes. Inspired by a trip to Edinburgh, the Observatoire embraces the same ethos as the Library of Mistakes, and joins other extensions of our activity in Pune (India) and Lausanne (Switzerland).

The Observatoire is currently an online community but is hoping to establish a physical presence – and François is a really interesting listen. We also hear from Didasko CEO David Clarke on summer activites in Edinburgh, while our Librarian, Helen Williams, dips into books about the oil industry.

Enjoy!

Presented by Leila Johnston & Fraser Allen.

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

Great to collaborate on this with the wonderful Adam Smith Global Foundation at the great man's former home in Kirkcaldy...
23/04/2026

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

Address

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

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The Library of Mistakes posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organisation

Send a message to The Library of Mistakes:

Shortcuts

Share

Category

Nearby government services