BOOKMARKS 2024

Bookmarks 2024 took place at ECA on Wednesday 27th March from 1.00pm to 7.00pm at the ECA Sculpture Court.

A view from above of the bookfair taking place in the Sculpture Court
Bookmarks 2024 in action!

This annual event is a fantastic opportunity to meet artists’ books and zines makers, buy and swap stuff, and attend workshops!

Check out the new ECA website for more info.

A graphic for Bookmarks 2024
Illustration by Rebecca Tate, Year 3 Illustration, School of Design, at ECA

Dissertation and Thesis Festival: 11 – 15 March 2024

A picture of a girl reading a book and a QR code for the festival programme

The Library is holding a Dissertation and Thesis Festival from 11 – 15 March 2024, aiming to support students to use library resources for dissertation and thesis success.  

To create the programme, we’ve collaborated with Digital Skills, IAD, Library Research Support and the Centre for Research Collections, as well as external publishers and other libraries including the NLS.  

Key themes for sessions in this year’s Festival include:

  • Using Film in Research
  • Getting started with NVivo 
  • Expert searches for systematic reviews 
  • Discover Overton : the world’s largest searchable index of policy documents
  • AI tools for literature searching: Opportunities, limitations, and responsible use 

Most sessions will be delivered online and will also be recorded, making them accessible to online only students and students unable to attend live sessions due to study or work commitments. 

In addition Festival sessions are complemented by modules in the LibSmart online course which can be undertaken at any time to build student knowledge and skills in library-based research. 

Click here for the Dissertation and Thesis Festival programme details.  

An infographic showing a film camera and details of a seminar on using film in research

 

 

Library in focus: Central Art & Design Library

This is the first in a series of guest posts featuring other libraries (external to the University) that ECA students might find useful to visit. Today we are looking at the Art & Design Library, at Edinburgh Central Library, on George IV Bridge.

At Central Library’s Art & Design Library you can discover a fantastic set of resources relating to art, design and photography, along with wooden 1930s desks, and shelving that has stood the test of time. Enjoy our beautiful space for reading, studying and drawing and browse through our huge collection, covering various disciplines and art movements, from cave to the latest in contemporary art, as well as books on techniques from fashion illustration to lino-cutting.

Looking for exhibition space and events? We have a monthly programme of exhibitions from local artists and groups as well as a free programme of talks and workshops.

We hold a growing collection of artists’ books from artists working in Scotland as well as historic collections of Japanese art, children’s illustrated books and 19th century ornamental design books, and many other historic materials.

With library membership we offer:

  • Free wifi
  • Printing and photocopying facilities
  • Public computers
  • Access to online journals and newspapers
  • Access to e-audio and e-books
  • Borrow 12 books

Join online today and explore the library catalogue

Follow on Facebook facebook.com/edinburghcentrallibrary and X and Instagram @edcentrallib

For more information and enquiries email the Art & Design Library central.artanddesign.library@edinburgh.gov.uk or telephone 0131 242 8040.

We’re open Monday to Wednesday 10am – 8pm. and Thursday to Saturday 10am to 5pm.

Central Library is located on George IV Bridge – we’re the building that looks like a French chateau! Find a different space to study.

Picture showing the interior of the art and design library
Central Library’s Art and Design Library

Guest post written by Bronwen Brown, Library Development Leader – Music and Art & Design Collections, Edinburgh Central Library.

 

On a Clear Day: Bookworks and Poem-objects responding to Agnes Martin

11 January 2024:

 

ECA Library is delighted to host a new display featuring works by Julie Johnstone of Essence Press, and Alan Shipway, painter. Julie has long been drawn to the painter Agnes Martin (1912-2004). For this project she decided to address her interest in Agnes Martin directly, in order to see the body of work that might result when Martin’s life and work ‘met’ her own practice. She was interested in asking what it was that draws us to a particular painter or work of art – that affinity or resonance one feels – and how one might be inspired by that. Also on display are two watercolours by Alan Shipway who is also an admirer of Agnes Martin.

The show is open now until the end of February 2024.

Please do come along to ECA Library, level 1 of Evolution House, West Port, to take a look at our 3 display cabinets and the wonderful works inside.

NB: Evolution House is open to the public Monday – Friday, 9.00am – 4.45pm only. Sometimes our reception needs to close over lunchtime, at short notice, so please either phone ahead to check the building is open or arrive between 9am and 12, or 2pm and 4pm. You can reach ECA Library on 0131 651 5700. Thank you!

For more information go to the Essence Press website

Black History Month

October 2023:

We have Black History Month new books displays at ECA Library, Evolution House, and at the Main Library, George Square, for everyone to enjoy this month.

We would also like to let you all know about an event taking place on 24 October, from 2.00pm – 3.30pm at the Main Library: Black History Month in the UK – Views from Home and the Diaspora.

In this in-person event, Dr Elizabeth Williams, cultural historian and leader of the Academic Support Librarian team, will be in conversation with six outstanding University of Edinburgh academics and commentators: Dr. Gwenetta D. Curry, Dr Omolabake Fakunle, Dr Nicola Frith, Sharon Boateng, Dr Simon Buck, and Rachel Hosker.

Books on display at ECA Library
Black History Month book displays at ECA Library, October 2023.

BFI Player one year subscription confirmed!

We are delighted to be able to announce that all University of Edinburgh students and staff will now have a full one year of access to the complete BFI Player platform, following a successful 6 month pilot.

You can easily register with BFI Player and get access to hundreds of quality independent and art house films and classics.

Access BFI Player via the databases A-Z, or our list of the best databases for Art & Design, and also for Film Studies.

Please note: if you already had a BFI Player account linked to our pilot University of Edinburgh institutional subscription before 1st October 2023, you will need to relink your account using the instructions provided at the above webpages, when you first log in after 1st October 2023.  Once your account is relinked, you will then be able to sign in to BFI Player as normal via http://player.bfi.org.uk/ 

Enjoy!

BFI Player logo