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Edinburgh Libraries
@edinburghlibraries.bsky.social
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Edinburgh Libraries - news about events, activities and services across our 28 community libraries, Central Library, mobile library service and digital library.
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edinburghlibraries.bsky.social
Ever thought about doing your family tree?
Come along to our beginners' #FamilyHistory session at Central Library on Thurs 26 February at 2pm and find out how to get started using Ancestry and our other free resources.
Book your place via informationdigital@edinburgh.gov.uk
February 20, 2026 at 10:54 AM
Reposted by Edinburgh Libraries
scottishbooktrust.bsky.social
Tomorrow is World Day of Social Justice, and we are focusing on reading for pleasure. Did you know that reading for pleasure improves language skills, social skills and employability?

Read more about how reading tackles poverty

www.scottishbooktrust.com/articles/how...
How reading for pleasure can tackle poverty
The benefits of reading—even for a short time each day—are varied and life-changing, from improving employability, language skills, social skills, and family bonding, to reducing stress and anxiety.
www.scottishbooktrust.com
February 19, 2026 at 12:13 PM
edinburghlibraries.bsky.social
Our #ThrowbackThursday takes us back to 1963 and a glimpse inside the Palais de Dance at #Fountainbridge. There was no drinks licence in the dance halls, so the strongest drink available was coffee!
Photo shared by Living Memory Association via Edinburgh Collected.
zurl.co/WpW0T
Three couples dressed in suits and ties and dresses are sitting around a small table which has cups and saucers placed on it.
February 19, 2026 at 10:31 AM
edinburghlibraries.bsky.social
Listen to Edinburg with no wait on uLibrary from Edinburgh Libraries www.edinburgh.gov.uk/ulibrary
February 17, 2026 at 2:43 PM
edinburghlibraries.bsky.social
21 February will mark 200 years since the death of John Kay, the renowned Scottish caricaturist and engraver. Read our blog post to find out more about his life and a new Capital Collections exhibition showcasing around 360 of his portraits and caricatures - zurl.co/Hq5ZS
John Kay’s ‘A Series of Original Portraits and Caricature Etchings’
The 21st of February will mark 200 years since the death of John Kay, a Scottish caricaturist and engraver. On Capital Collections we have a new exhibition showcasing around 360 of his portraits an…
zurl.co
February 16, 2026 at 4:27 PM
edinburghlibraries.bsky.social
Our #ThrowbackThursday captures the Scottish Motor Traction bus depot staff posed for a photo in February 1928.
The location is unknown but it’s thought to be Fountainbridge where the SMT had a depot at the time - zurl.co/O9y1a
Image thanks to Living Memory Association via Edinburgh Collected
A group of men in uniform and caps stand and sit in two rows in front of an old-fashioned bus inside a depot.
February 12, 2026 at 10:29 AM
edinburghlibraries.bsky.social
Music on the Mezzanine, Central Library's programme of Saturday lunchtime concerts returns this week!
On Saturday 14 February at 1pm, Luis Flores Carrubio and Ailsa Thompson will kick off this season with a programme of music for violin and flute.
Book your free ticket online -
zurl.co/BTLvL
Music on the Mezzanine, Spring 2026
Welcome to a new year and a new season of Music on the Mezzanine concerts! We are pleased to have ten events this season in which we will say, “Hello!’ to seven new groups and say, R…
zurl.co
February 11, 2026 at 2:23 PM
edinburghlibraries.bsky.social
Discover books as art - walking, making, thinking in pages - in a recent blog post and in a wonderful exhibition of #ArtistsBooks from the collections of the #ArtAndDesignLibrary.
The exhibition is on show Edinburgh Central Library until 28 February - don't miss it!
zurl.co/XdjsM
Books as Art: walking, making, thinking in pages
Visit Books as Art, an artists’ books exhibition on show on the Mezzanine at Central Library until 28 February 2026 There is a peculiar intimacy to artists’ books. They ask to be handled, unf…
zurl.co
February 11, 2026 at 10:47 AM
Reposted by Edinburgh Libraries
signeru.bsky.social
Craigmillar Literacy Trust is running the Johnni Stanton Creative Writing Awards 2026. Aimed at young writers aged 8-16 who live or go to school in #Craigmillar #Niddrie #Bingham or #Magdalene 100 words on the theme of music.
More info here: www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1...
A white on black poster with yellow lettering and illustrated child in the corner with headphones. Text says: The Johnni Stanton Creative Writing Awards 2026. For children and young people aged 8-16 in Craigmillar, Niddrie, Bingham and Magdalene. Can You tell a story in 100 words? This year's theme is 'music'! Closing Date Friday 27 February 2026 5pm.
February 9, 2026 at 4:28 PM
Reposted by Edinburgh Libraries
carnegiemedals.bsky.social
Revealing the longlist for the #Carnegies2026 Medal for Writing! 🏅✒️

Highlighting diversity and community, these 19 works span from humorous narratives and creative reimaginings to artfully using history to explore identity and relationships . 💫📖

https://carnegies.co.uk/2026-longlists-announced/
February 10, 2026 at 9:05 AM
edinburghlibraries.bsky.social
#OnThisDay Mary, Queen of Scots was executed for her involvement in a plot against Elizabeth I.
Read about Mary’s extraordinary life and times in a new story on Our Town Stories - zurl.co/jltdS
February 8, 2026 at 10:40 AM
edinburghlibraries.bsky.social
As we edge closer to the 200th anniversary of John Kay’s death, here’s a brilliant satire from the caricaturist. With wit and precision, Kay turns an internal university power struggle into a visual drama🖋️🐘 Keep your eyes peeled to see more of Kay’s work soon on Capital Collections. 👀 zurl.co/ouf63
February 6, 2026 at 11:11 AM
Reposted by Edinburgh Libraries
scottishbooktrust.bsky.social
Order a free boxful of Scotland's Stories of Friendship for your café, community centre, school, library ... wherever you please!

📕 www.surveymonkey.com/r/scotlandss...
Three copies of a book called Friendship sit on a bench.
February 5, 2026 at 10:28 AM
edinburghlibraries.bsky.social
In February 1950, George and Jeanie Forrest sit with their children for a family photo. It may have been taken at their Redhall Drive prefab home - maybe you recognise the space as a prefab interior?
#ThrowbackThursday shared by Living Memory Association via Edinburgh Collected
zurl.co/Gad7X
A woman, man and three young children sit together on a small settee in the corner of a room.
February 5, 2026 at 10:24 AM
edinburghlibraries.bsky.social
Do you know any budding young artists?
Central Library’s Children’s Art Club returns this month!
zurl.co/g4iqp
Central Library’s Children’s Art Club – February to June 2026
Are you aged 5 to 11? Do you like to make things?(Or do you know someone who is and does?!) We have several upcoming Children’s Art Clubs at Central Library. They will be held on the followin…
zurl.co
February 4, 2026 at 4:05 PM
edinburghlibraries.bsky.social
Celebrate Languages Week Scotland 2- 6 Feb by joining activities promoting the languages spoken by New Scots. Test your calligraphy skills, discover Arabic poetry and stories. Events at Gilmerton and Oxgangs Libraries. Find out more zurl.co/Sx0Lh
Group of Adults and Children at a Library event
February 4, 2026 at 12:35 PM
edinburghlibraries.bsky.social
Over on the blog, we highlight our latest addition to Our Town Stories - a digital trail all about the life and times of Mary, Queen of Scots and her connections to Edinburgh
zurl.co/DcIAg
The story of Mary, Queen of Scots
The life and times of Mary, Queen of Scots is told in a new story on Our Town Stories. Mary’s short and eventful life is surrounded by intrigue and drama. She succeeded to the throne at only …
zurl.co
February 4, 2026 at 11:17 AM
edinburghlibraries.bsky.social
Our Resources Team hand-pick a selection of titles from the freshly arrived library books for February -
zurl.co/IFfJU
Poster image listing a selection of titles from the newly acquired books for Edinburgh Libraries.
February 4, 2026 at 9:10 AM
edinburghlibraries.bsky.social
A new exhibition has opened in the #ArtAndDesignLibrary for the month of February - 'Shift' is an exhibition of contemporary paintings by Paradigms, a group of four Edinburgh-based women artists at Central Library
zurl.co/670ZI
Shift by Paradigms – Art and Design Library exhibition, February 2026
The February exhibition in the Art and Design Library features contemporary paintings by Paradigms, a group of four Edinburgh-based women artists. “Shift” brings together recent work by Catherine Y…
zurl.co
February 3, 2026 at 3:56 PM
edinburghlibraries.bsky.social
The Music on the Mezzanine programme of free Saturday lunchtime concerts returns to Central Library this month -
zurl.co/Arqzx
Music on the Mezzanine, Spring 2026
Welcome to a new year and a new season of Music on the Mezzanine concerts! We are pleased to have ten events this season in which we will say, “Hello!’ to seven new groups and say, R…
zurl.co
February 3, 2026 at 11:55 AM
edinburghlibraries.bsky.social
Celebrate Languages Week Scotland 2- 6 Feb, by joining activities promoting the languages spoken by New Scots. Test your calligraphy skills, discover Arabic poetry and stories. Events at Muirhouse, Gilmerton and Oxgangs Libraries. Find out more at zurl.co/crW2e
Group of children and adults participate in a library event.
January 30, 2026 at 10:35 AM
edinburghlibraries.bsky.social
This lovely portrait of a fishwife at the harbour at #Newhaven is dated around 100 years ago. You can see lots more brilliant portraits of faces from Edinburgh’s past on Edinburgh Colllected, our online community archive.
#ThrowbackThursday thanks to Living Memory Association zurl.co/Ostdl
A fishwife in a stripey, raised skirts, blouse and headscarf stands with her back to the boats moored at Newhaven Harbour.
January 29, 2026 at 10:18 AM
edinburghlibraries.bsky.social
Available to borrow now with no queues! The Women by Kristin Hannah on audiobook. Treat yourself and get listening to the bestselling novel now . Free through Edinburgh Libraries and BorrowBox zurl.co/jASuN
January 28, 2026 at 4:24 PM
edinburghlibraries.bsky.social
Thinking of tracing your family tree?
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.
Next session is on Thursday 29 January at 2pm.
Book by emailing informationdigital@edinburgh.gov.uk
Nine small head and shoulder Victorian studio portraits arranged in a decorative painted diamond background.
January 25, 2026 at 4:06 PM
edinburghlibraries.bsky.social
Ahead of #BurnsNight, we focus on #RobertBurns’ publisher, William Creech.
Largely forgotten today, Creech was well known in late 1700s Edinburgh society. He was Lord Provost, a member of Edinburgh’s literati, and a Luckenbooth shopkeeper.
Read about his life on Our Town Stories - zurl.co/zciE6
An engraving of St Giles Cathedral shows the luckenbooth stalls built around its walls.
January 24, 2026 at 10:50 AM