Edinburgh Central Library

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Edinburgh Central Library Edinburgh Libraries are “innovative on so many fronts, full of energy, bang up to date and unafraid of the future.

This is a template for libraries everywhere to be inspired by”. This is how the judges of 'The Bookseller' magazine's Library of the Year Award described us. But don't take their word for it - visit your local library and see for yourself. General information
Please note that comments on this site are subject to our policy on the use of social media. For details please see http://tinyurl.com/38k3xnm

Likes, shares and other activity should not necessarily be taken as endorsement. For more on our approach to social media please see:

http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/socialmedia

🎂 Happy 340th Birthday, Allan Ramsay! 🎂 Born on this day in 1686, Allan Ramsay was one of Scotland’s most celebrated poe...
15/10/2026

🎂 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. 🖊️

***Black History Month 2026 in the Art & Design Library***To mark the 25th anniversary of a uniquely Scottish Black Hist...
11/10/2026

***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 Black Scottish and Scotland-based 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 was founded in 2001 and has been organised every year by the Glasgow-based Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights (CRER).

JOIN US TOMORROW!!🎼Music on the Mezzanine continues tomorrow, Saturday, 10th October at 1:00 PM, as we welcome the Edinb...
09/10/2026

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/edinburgh-university-early-music-ensemble-at-music-on-the-mezzanine/2026-10-10/13:00/t-dkjngrl

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

New exhibition of paintings Cityscapes and Dreamscapes by Michael McGovern opens Art & Design Library running till 30th ...
06/10/2026

New exhibition of paintings Cityscapes and Dreamscapes by Michael McGovern opens Art & Design Library running till 30th October.

Oh, pretty things..!Did you know we have a wonderful collection of artists’ books in our special collections? Once a yea...
06/10/2026

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 () - 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 (), Natalie D’Arbeloff, David Faithfull (), Joanna Robson (), Cécile (cé) Simonis (), Susie Wilson (), Anupa Gardner (.gardner), Ed Ruscha, Sol LeWitt, Isobel Lewis (), Frances Law (), Hamish Fulton, Karen Akester (.akester), Susie Leiper ().

🌊 Catch the wave! Push the Boat Out, Edinburgh's International Poetry Festival, returns to The Pleasance from 12–15 Nove...
06/10/2026

🌊 Catch the wave! Push the Boat Out, Edinburgh's International Poetry Festival, returns to The Pleasance from 12–15 November, with pre-festival events too.

Four days of poetry, performance, music and conversation with poets and artists from Scotland and around the world, including Jackie Kay, Luke Wright, Anthony Joseph, Joelle Taylor, Naomi Shihab Nye, Kirsty Logan, Hannah Lavery, Joseph Coelho and many more.

📚 Pop into Central Library on George IV Bridge to pick up a free festival brochure, and while you're here, browse our poetry shelves to discover the festival's poets before you see them live. You can also reserve their books online and collect from your local library.

Full programme and tickets 👉 www.pushtheboatout.org

It’s Winnie the Pooh’s 100th birthday! Pop in to the Children’s Library during October to help him celebrate! We have so...
02/10/2026

It’s Winnie the Pooh’s 100th birthday! Pop in to the Children’s Library during October to help him celebrate! We have some lovely jolly decorations, a display of books from Hundred Acre Wood and a new scavenger hunt to enjoy. Don't forget your hunny! 🍯

We are excited to have taster sessions with Edinburgh Women's Fiction Festival here at Central Library tomorrow. There a...
28/09/2026

We are excited to have taster sessions with Edinburgh Women's Fiction Festival here at Central Library tomorrow. There are still a few tickets left, visit the post below to secure your spot! 🎟

ONLY 3 DAYS TO GO!!🎼Join us this Saturday, 26th September at 1:00 PM, for Music on The Mezzanine, as we welcome the tale...
23/09/2026

ONLY 3 DAYS TO GO!!

🎼Join us this Saturday, 26th September at 1:00 PM, for Music on The Mezzanine, as we welcome the talented MAJK STOKES🎵🎶🎵🎶

Majk is an Edinburgh based singer-songwriter, poet and musician. He has written over 400 songs and poems, from silly to serious, and recorded three studio albums and self-published two books of poetry.

Please come along and enjoy both a fun and thought-provoking afternoon of original music on the Mezzanine. Search 'Edinburgh Central Library' on Ticketsource or contact the Music Library by phone on 0131 242 8050 or by email at [email protected] to book your free tickets today.

We look forward to seeing you there!!

📍 Mezzanine level, Library
📅 Saturday 26th September
🕐 1:00 PM

Address

George IV Bridge
Edinburgh
EH11EG

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 8pm
Tuesday 10am - 8pm
Wednesday 10am - 8pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

+441312428000

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