'National Library of Scotland', Veronica Denholm

Wed, Jul 27th 2016 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Image from Wikipedia Commons. Kim Traynor

Image from Wikipedia Commons.


Whether you want to view the last letter Mary Queen of Scots wrote on 5th Feb 1587, 6 hours before her death, Read the Broadsides ( the tabloid of their day - 1830's) or look at old maps from 1560 through to 1961 you can at the National Library.
We were enthused, enthralled and inspired in a talk by Veronica Denholm the Access and Outreach officer from the library.
One of only 6 National libraries in UK and Ireland they receive a copy of every published document. This means over 24 million items are available to view by arrangement. No walking in here and getting a book off the shelf.
It is effectively the collected published memory of the nation. Starting in 1689 as the Advocates library, the copyright act of 1710  meant all documents published started to be stored there.
When it outgrew the facilities the contents was bequeathed to the nation and eventually they ended up in the present site in 1956.
The facilities are excellent from reading rooms to exhibitions and special collections to on line electronic resources. The smallest book measures 1mm by 1 mm (Old King Cole 1885) The largest 7ft by 5ft - a photographic record.
This summary can only whet the appetite. To see more, learn about registration to benefit from all the facilities and consider participating in the many events visit their web site.
Veronicas role is to raise the profile of the library and encourage everyone to visit. This was certainly achieved and the club hopes to arrange a visit soon. I suspect from the plethora of questions asked many members will be making personal visits soon - and not just to visit the excellent café.
Andy Howard gave the club's vote of thanks.

'What We Do' Main Pages:

Partner Club: Bronze Roundel

Our support for Rotary International charities

more  

Read about our Club initiatives

more  

Read about our Club and where we are....

more  

This page features recent submissions to the press about our Club. Please note that the press editors may have made changes to the copy used for final publication

more