Tag: 100th anniversary of the 1925 National Library of Scotland Act

Edinburgh Library Service recognised at National Awards

EXPERIENCES OF RAIN INTERCULTURAL PROJECT WINS AWARD

SLIC awards , Stirling 2026 – Pics by Alan Peebles

The National Library of Scotland has been recognised at the 2026 Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) Awards for demonstrating the innovation and impact of library services through its intercultural project exploring shared heritage through creativity.

The Edinburgh based service was presented with the Project Excellence Award for Experiences of Rain at the SLIC showcase and AGM at The Barracks in Stirling yesterday (Friday 6 November).

The annual awards, judged by an independent panel led by SLIC Chair Alan Clarke, alongside guest judges Garrett Baylor Stell, a journalist with The Herald’s specialist education team, and Susan Calcluth, Scotland Lead for the National Year of Reading 2026, celebrate library teams and projects that have enhanced learning, wellbeing and community engagement through pioneering staff-driven initiatives.

The National Library of Scotland’s project brought together seven people with lived experience of migration to explore personal memories and cultural connections to rain, drawing on the Library’s collections and creating a sound installation for its 2026 exhibition.

Through creative workshops led by poet and storyteller Dr Tawona Sitholé and sound artist Ros Fraser, participants shared stories, music and perspectives from different cultures, building connections with one another and the Library. The installation became a central part of the Rain exhibition, which attracted a record 28,531 visitors in its first two months.

Judge Susan Calcluth praised the project, saying: “A distinctive and moving example of co-creation, Experiences of Rain explores both the connections we share and the different meanings rain holds across cultures.

“It demonstrates the power of creativity and shared experience to bring people together.”

The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow was highly commended in the category for Maximising Audubon’s The Birds of America, a project combining conservation, digitisation and public engagement to bring one of Scotland’s rare library treasures to wider audiences.

The work contributed to a threefold increase in enquiries and a rise in visitors from 351 to 1,478 within four months.

Midlothian Library Service was named Team of the Year for its whole-service approach to developing libraries as community hubs, while South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture Libraries won the inaugural Jacqueline Geekie Award for Excellence in Digital Innovation for an imaginative digital resource bringing the library experience into classrooms, while

For more information, visit scottishlibraries.org/funding/the-slic-awards/

History of Scotland’s Libraries explored in Edinburgh Exhibition

An exhibition celebrating Scotland’s libraries has opened at Edinburgh Central Library. ‘Inspiring the Nation: 300 years of Libraries in Scotland’ explores the history of libraries in Scotland and how they’ve developed from private book collections to vital spaces at the heart of our communities. 

Featuring images from Historic Environment Scotland’s archives, the exhibition charts their innovation and growth from the 17th century through their continued evolution in response to the changing needs of society to become the varied public services they are today. 

The exhibition marks the 100th anniversary of the 1925 ‘National Library of Scotland Act’, which saw the establishment of the National Library of Scotland, one of the largest libraries in the United Kingdom. 

Across the road, The National Library of Scotland has also opened an exhibition to commemorate their centenary. ‘Dear Library’ is described as a love letter to libraries, aiming to give visitors a whole new perspective on how libraries can help you, and how you can help them.

Browse bookshelves in an open reading room filled with recommendations from the public and well-known Scottish figures. See libraries in popular culture, protest banners and badges, vintage film footage, and more. 

Claire Whitbread, Exhibitions Manager at Historic Environment Scotland, said: “Through this exhibition, we’re shining a light on the vital part libraries play in Scotland’s social history, illuminating the continuing importance of these places in our lives today. 

“It’s wonderful to be opening this exhibition at Edinburgh Central Library, a very fitting venue and the first public library building in the city, opening in 1890.

“It’s also just across the road from the National Library of Scotland, so I hope visitors enjoy exploring both of our exhibitions and discovering more about the fascinating world of libraries.” 

Martha Burns Findlay, Head of Public Programmes at the National Library of Scotland, said: “We’re delighted that Historic Environment Scotland’s new display at Edinburgh’s Central Library will coincide with our own ‘Dear Library’ exhibition across the road at the National Library of Scotland.

“In our 100th year we’re championing the vital role that libraries play in Scotland, so the twinned exhibitions provide a great opportunity for people to rekindle their love of libraries.” 

‘Inspiring the Nation: 300 years of Libraries in Scotland’ is on at the Edinburgh Central Library from Friday 11 July – Saturday 20 September 2025.

Entry to the exhibition is free and no booking is required. 

For more information, visit historicenvironment.scot/whats-on.