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National Library of Scotland

@natlibscot.bsky.social

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Scotland’s living memory. If you can think of it, we probably have it.

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National Library of Scotland @natlibscot.bsky.social · May 30

2025 marks 100 years since the National Library of Scotland was established by an Act of Parliament 🎂

Join our centenary champions, Val McDermid and Damian Barr, as they talk about the significance of libraries, and the importance of collections like ours 📚

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National Library of Scotland @natlibscot.bsky.social · 2d

Full story on our website > www.nls.uk/collections/...

From Matilda to Buffy: Libraries in pop culture | National Library of Scotland

Writer Katie Goh explores how fictional libraries offer mystery, romance, and transformation—echoing the magic of real ones we love.

www.nls.uk

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National Library of Scotland @natlibscot.bsky.social · 2d

A place for self-discovery, dancing, school-rule-breaking, romantic meet-cutes (oh, and *the* hot location for finding out the secrets of the universe). Yes, it’s the library in pop culture!

Writer and editor Katie Goh explains everything from Buffy to Matilda in our latest long-read.

A graphic-style illustration of Matilda walking home with a pull-trolley full of books.

A graphic-style illustration of Breakfast at Tiffany's scene in the library.

A graphic-style illustration of the Scooby Gang in the library in 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer'.

A graphic-style depiction of the Breakfast Club sitting on the bannister in their library.

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National Library of Scotland @natlibscot.bsky.social · 3d

We have improved our links with the Allmaps project, so that any of our maps can be freely, collaboratively georeferenced and then brought back into our Georeferenced Maps viewer 🗺️

Learn more > maps.nls.uk/view/help/

#Georeference #MapMonday #Maps

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National Library of Scotland @natlibscot.bsky.social · 13d

Are you feeling crafty? Drop by our George IV Bridge building 2 - 4pm today for autumn crafts for all ages. Make a pinecone bird feeder, try some autumn leaf craft or relax with mindful colouring.

pine cone covered with seeds to make a bird feeder

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National Library of Scotland @natlibscot.bsky.social · 13d

📍 George IV Bridge Building
🗓️ Sunday, 28 September
See our main building, including our Reading Rooms.

No booking required. Just drop in. Find out more on our website > www.nls.uk/whats-on/?t=...

What's on filtered by what | National Library of Scotland

Find out about our events and exhibitions in Edinburgh, Glasgow, and online.

www.nls.uk

National Library of Scotland @natlibscot.bsky.social · 13d

Explore the National Library of Scotland for Doors Open Days 🔎

This September, we're taking part in Doors Open Days. It's your chance for a free, behind-the-scenes look at our buildings.

📍 Causewayside Building
🗓️ Saturday, 27 September
Go behind the scenes! Try out our library games and activities

A library themed snakes and ladder games on a table.

The National Library of Scotland's Causewayside Building.

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National Library of Scotland @natlibscot.bsky.social · 23d

Read more about librarians providing support for those affected by cancer in our #LoveLibraries case studies > www.cilips.org.uk/advocacy-cam...

#LoveLibraries #NLS100

Love Libraries – Library volunteers offer support and advice for those affected by cancer

Supporting the health and wellbeing of the local community is a key role of our public libraries.

www.cilips.org.uk

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National Library of Scotland @natlibscot.bsky.social · 23d

People can access a wide range of advice and resources on a range of conditions, whether they themselves are affected or they want to know more to support a friend or family member.

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National Library of Scotland @natlibscot.bsky.social · 23d

Volunteers offer practical, emotional and financial support and signposting at libraries the length and breadth of Scotland, from Arbroath to Wishaw.

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National Library of Scotland @natlibscot.bsky.social · 23d

How can libraries be places of support for everyone in a community? 🫂

Supporting the health and wellbeing of the local community is a key role of our public libraries. A hugely popular and valued information service is the one offered by Macmillan Cancer Support.

A Macmillan volunteer sits with a member of the public, looking at a book together.

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National Library of Scotland @natlibscot.bsky.social · 27d

Learn more about the display > www.nls.uk/whats-on/out...

OUTWITH in Aberdeen: 'Songs and Fancies' | National Library of Scotland

A free display of John Forbes' 'Songs and Fancies' (1682) in Aberdeen Art Gallery accompanied by a series of local events.

www.nls.uk

National Library of Scotland @natlibscot.bsky.social · 27d

John Forbes' 'Songs and Fancies', published in Aberdeen in 1682, captured some of the most beloved songs from Renaissance Scotland in print for the first time.

This book and an accompanying events programme will be in Aberdeen from 13 September 2025 to 4 January 2026.

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National Library of Scotland @natlibscot.bsky.social · 27d

We're coming to Aberdeen! 🥳

Our OUTWITH programme kicks off this Saturday by bringing our earliest publication of Scottish secular music to Aberdeen Art Gallery (whose Cowdray Hall concert venue is also having a big birthday this year).

Songs and Fancies lies open in a display case, with a person kneeling down to look at it closely. The photograph is taken close up, with the book in the foreground.

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Reposted by National Library of Scotland

Sabhal Mòr Ostaig @sabhalmorostaig.bsky.social · 29d

Bidh an t-oileanach PhD againn Ceit Langhorne a' bruidhinn aig an Leabharlann Nàiseanta a-màireach.

Our PhD student Ceit Langhorne is speaking at @natlibscot.bsky.social tomorrow.

'Sgeulachdan Ghaisgeil: Scottish Gaelic heroic stories in the Scottish landscape'.

https://nls.pulse.ly/qdusiaygei

Sgeulachdan Ghaisgeil: Scottish Gaelic heroic stories in the Scottish landscape | National Library of Scotland

Learn about the complex history of heroic characters through the Scottish landscape in this talk by PhD researcher Ceit Langhorne.

nls.pulse.ly

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National Library of Scotland @natlibscot.bsky.social · Sep 9

Read more about Summer storytelling sessions in the Borders in our #LoveLibraries case studies > www.cilips.org.uk/advocacy-cam...

#LoveLibraries #NLS100

Love Libraries – Summer storytelling sessions are a huge success

Bookbug and storytelling sessions have been going on the road in the Borders to help reach more children and build partnerships with local organisations.

www.cilips.org.uk

National Library of Scotland @natlibscot.bsky.social · Sep 9

The sessions aim to create inclusive, stimulating environments for children and families, explore the use of some outdoor venues for storytelling, and foster reading, play and community well-being.

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National Library of Scotland @natlibscot.bsky.social · Sep 9

Where do you go to listen to stories? 🗣️

Bookbug and storytelling sessions have been going on the road in the Borders to help reach more children and build partnerships with local organisations.

A graphic promoting the National Library of Scotland's 'Love Libraries' campaign, with the slogan 'Find your next chapter' in the middle of the image, with graphic depictions of families reading, exploring, and playing in a library setting surrounding the text.

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National Library of Scotland @natlibscot.bsky.social · Sep 1

This #MapMonday can we tempt you with #MoreMaps?
We've just added early maps of Scotland and Great Britain, as well as town and county plans. These maps are from our Charlotte Smith collection, acquired by the Library in 2017. maps.nls.uk/additions/#184

Map of Great Britain by Abraham Ortelius. 1646

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National Library of Scotland @natlibscot.bsky.social · Aug 26

Learn more about the donation of Cricket Scotland's archive > www.cricketscotland.com/Article/1af8...

Cricket Scotland

United by Cricket.

www.cricketscotland.com

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National Library of Scotland @natlibscot.bsky.social · Aug 26

Items of interest include minute books, scorebooks, publications and programmes across men’s, women’s and junior cricket. The archive is now available to search in our catalogue and can be consulted in our buildings.

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National Library of Scotland @natlibscot.bsky.social · Aug 26

We’re delighted that Cricket Scotland has chosen the National Library to be the new home of their archive 🏏

The records cover the history of the Scottish Cricket Union and Cricket Scotland, from 1908 to the present day.

A photograph of a cricket scorebook, donated by Cricket Scotland and now part of the National Library of Scotland's collections.

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National Library of Scotland @natlibscot.bsky.social · Aug 26

Read more about how library Lend and Mend hubs are helping shape a circular economy in our #LoveLibraries case study > www.cilips.org.uk/advocacy-cam...

Love Libraries – Libraries help tackle cost-of-living crisis through Lend and Mend hubs

Free equipment to help repair, reuse and upcycle everyday items is being offered as part of a trailblazing sustainability project at libraries across Scotland.

www.cilips.org.uk

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National Library of Scotland @natlibscot.bsky.social · Aug 26

The Lend and Mend network, managed by the Scottish Libraries and Information Council (SLIC), covers Perth, Aberdeen, Forfar, Midlothian, North Ayrshire, South Ayrshire, Orkney, Edinburgh and Inverclyde.

A person sits, holding up a repaired quilt, next to a sewing machine. The wall behind reads, 'Lend + Mend'

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National Library of Scotland @natlibscot.bsky.social · Aug 26

‘Lend and Mend’ hubs aim to support and encourage communities to keep items for longer rather than throw them away. The projects not only promote a shift towards a circular economy but are also helping people save money during the cost-of-living crisis.

A person stands holding a piece of fabric with 'Stitch it, don't ditch it.' Sewn into it.

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National Library of Scotland @natlibscot.bsky.social · Aug 26

Reduce, reuse, recycle, repair! ♻️🧵

Free equipment to help repair, reuse and upcycle everyday items is being offered as part of a trailblazing sustainability project at libraries across Scotland.

Next to a banner that reads 'Fix it at your local library', a person stands over a table covered in tools, working to repair a broken laminator.

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