Tag: Central Library

Free Digital Support Sessions at Central Library!

Need help with everyday digital skills? Join us later this month for free support sessions with volunteers from Lloyds Banking Group.

Tuesday 18th & 25th August

2:30pm – 4:30pm

Central Library (Mezzanine Level)

💻 Bring your own device and get one-to-one help with:

✅ Browsing the internet

✅ Using email and apps

✅ Social media and video calls

✅ Staying safe online

✅ Accessing services and banking

✅ Creating documents and sharing photos

Book your spot or drop in on the day!

Email: getonline@edinburgh.gov.uk

Phone: 07716 702180

#GetOnline

#DigitalInclusion

#EdinburghLibraries

#DigitalSkills

Family History session at Edinburgh Central Library this Thursday

THURSDAY 30 APRIL from 2 – 3.30pm

Want to trace your family tree, but not sure where to start?

Come along to our beginners’ #FamilyHistory session at Edinburgh Central Library to find out about the free resources that can help you with your research.

We’ll guide you through the basics and show you how to navigate Ancestry and British Newspaper Archive, two brilliant resources for family history and both free to use in all Edinburgh Libraries. The session ends with a short tour of the physical genealogical resources held in the Edinburgh and Scottish Collection.

The next session is on Thursday 30 April at 2pm.

Book your place by emailing informationdigital@edinburgh.gov.uk

Central Library unveils latest Music on the Mezzanine concerts programme

Central Library has announced a new season of Music on the Mezzanine, offering free live performances every fortnight and showcasing a mix of returning favourites and exciting new acts.

The programme features ten concerts, including the return of much-loved performers such as the Edinburgh Recorder Orchestra, Simmerdim and Vonodh Jayakrishnan, alongside first-time appearances from artists including Zonos and Moonlighting Flutes.

Audiences can enjoy a wide range of styles, from folk, classical and South Indian music to electronic soundscapes and Celtic-inspired jazz.

Highlights include violin and flute duo Luis Flores Carrubio and Ailsa Thompson on 14 February, a trio of young Scottish musicians on 28 February, percussionist and composer Valerie Thibault on 28 March, and a closing performance by the Composers Orchestra on 20 June.

Culture and Communities Convener Margaret Graham said: “Music on the Mezzanine has become a valued part of our cultural programme, bringing quality, accessible live music into the heart of the library.

“We’re delighted to welcome audiences back for another inspiring series of concerts. This season reflects the diversity, creativity, and talent of our musicians, and there truly is something for everyone to enjoy.”

Music on the Mezzanine concerts take place at 1pm every fortnight at Central Library. Tickets can be booked here.

Free digital support sessions at Central Library!

Tuesday 18th & 25th November, 2:30 – 4:30pm

Get help with email, internet, apps, staying safe online & more from @LloydsBank volunteers

Book: getonline@edinburgh.gov.uk / 07716 702180

Drop-ins also welcome on the day

#digitalinclusion

FINAL WEEK: Touch Woods exhibition at Edinburgh’s Central Library

HILLSIDE ART GROUP’s EXHIBTION RUNS UNTIL 31st OCTOBER

Hello friends,

I’m letting you know that our art group’s new exhibition, TOUCH WOODS, is in the last week

📅 Thursday 2nd – Friday 31st October 2025

📍 Art & Design Department, Central Library, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh.

This time we’ve been exploring the theme of the forest. The works include paintings, clay footprints, sculptures, and imaginative tactile pieces. Visitors are welcome to touch and experience the art — something that is especially important to us as visually impaired artists.

It would mean a lot if you could come along, spread the word, or even bring a friend.

We have a selection of fridge magnets that are availible for donation and all proceeds will go to our materials fund.

Hope to see you there!

💚Hillside Art Group facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/hillsideartgroup

Youtube Alan McIntyre Studio Art channel – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRXJKjXf67BktrsTmhwd-sA

My Music Youtube – neonmyth channel – https://www.youtube.com/@neonmyth

INSTAGRAM – @alanmcintyrestudio

Alan McIntyre

Hillside Visual Impaired Art Group is a weekly meeting point for those who wish to practise their creative skills though visually impaired.

The group is based at the RNIB Scotland’s headquarters in Edinburgh.

Family History Fair at Central Library

FRIDAY 24th OCTOBER from 10am – 4pm

Join us for a Family History Fair at Central Library on Friday 24 October 2025, between 10am and 4pm!

Come along to talk to experts from the following organisations who will be on hand to introduce their collections and answer questions about using materials to search for missing details in your family history.

We’ll be joined by:

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Edinburgh Central Library – Edinburgh and Scottish Collection and Digital Teams

Edinburgh City Archives

Historic Environment Scotland

National Library of Scotland

National Records of Scotland and Scotland’s People

National War Museum Library

Scottish Genealogy Society

and The Royal Scots

There will also be a series of presentations held throughout the day. Both the day and talks are free to attend, but the talks should be booked in advance via TicketSource.

Read the full Family History Fair programme on the blog at https://zurl.co/mQieA

We hope to see you there!

Image: Photograph of group of children, Newhaven, c. 1921, © The City of Edinburgh Council Museums and Galleries

Local History Writing Competition

Calling Edinburgh writers!

Enter our local history writing competition, the William Anderson Memorial Prize 2025, for the chance to win £200.

#Edinburgh900

https://zurl.co/6g0zT

Meet Dennis the Menace at Central Library centenary celebration

Celebrate our 100th birthday with Beano!

On Thursday 7 August, visit us at George IV Bridge, Edinburgh or Kelvin Hall, Glasgow to get your own copy of a special edition centenary comic created by Beano, especially for this occasion!

✨ First-come, first-served: 500 copies at each location

✨Meet Dennis the Menace (under staff supervision!)

✨ Sign our birthday card to be stored in our archives in perpetuity

Don’t miss out—copies run out fast!

Plan your visit > https://www.nls.uk/visit/

#Beano

#NLS100

#LoveLibraries

#LibrariesAloud

Starting With A Line: Jane Murray exhibition at Central Library

February exhibition in the Art & Design Library

This month we are showing the work of Jane Murray (1952-2024). The exhibition, titled Starting With A Line, was organised first by Jane herself and latterly by friends and family and includes paintings on wood, oil pastel on paper and mixed media works.

In a short introductory text in her own words, Jane shared reflections on her art practice which conclude: “As I have got older there is the realisation that the genre of my work was less reliant on observation and more on the expressive and instinctual, similar to that early child who put together visuals to make sense of her world.”

Jane was also a much-loved member of Edinburgh International Book Festival’s Citizen Writers Group and some of her old pals have already visited the exhibition on George IV Bridge.

#artanddesignlibrary

#edinburgh

#exhibition

#abstractpainting

#contemporaryart

Family Fun Day at Central Library

SATURDAY 25 JANUARY from 10am – 5pm

Come and join us on Saturday 25th January for our Family Fun Day! We’ll have lots of exciting things happening:

For children:

📖 Storytime – enjoy a selection of fun stories at the session’s brand new time

For ages 3-5, 11-11.30am in the Children’s Library

🧱 Lego Club – unleash your creativity and make fabulous Lego creations!

For ages 7-11, 3pm in the Children’s Library

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🗺 Burns Treasure Hunt – celebrate Burns Night with this special treasure hunt in the Children’s Library.

Speak to a member of staff for an entry form

For adults:

🖌 Artists’ books workshop with Susie Wilson – create your own tunnel book in this Miniature Theatres session

10.30am-1pm in the George Washington Browne Room.

Booking is essential

For all ages:

🎶 Scottish traditional singing workshop with Joss Cameron – learn a selection of songs with the award-winning singer

2.30-4.30pm in the George Washington Browne Room

Booking is essential

🧶 Knit & Natter – bring along your project and join this extra Saturday session

2-4pm on the Mezzanine

In the foyer:

💬 Information, advice and support stalls

On the Mezzanine:

☕ Tea, coffee, and light refreshments will be available from 12pm

To book your place on one of the workshops, please visit our Ticketsource page: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/edinburgh-central-library

Please speak to a member of staff if you have any questions. We hope to see you there!