The March issue of the University of Edinburgh Libraries newsletter is now available online here.
This issue focuses on AI and scholarly publishing, resource list developments for Law, and the Spring Library Dissertation & Thesis Festival.
All current and archived Library Newsletters can be found here.
This is the second 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 National Museums Scotland Library.
The NMS Library welcomes researchers, students and visitors to consult the library for reference use, Tuesdays to Fridays, 10am-4pm. Browse our online library catalogue to discover our historic and contemporary collections.
The Library reflects the strengths and variety of the Museum’s object collections and research interests. Anything ‘Available’ at the Research Library can be found at the time of your visit. If an item is at a location other than the Research Library, email ahead so the material can be ready in time for your visit: library@nms.ac.uk
The Research Library is accessible on Level 3 from the Technology by Design Gallery at the National Museum of Scotland. There are several thousand decorative and applied art books for visitors to browse, plus a display of 80 of our most regularly used journals, including The Burlington Magazine, Apollo and Arts in Asia, as well as journals of local arts societies. Many journals held in the Library’s stores are unique within Scotland, and can be requested in advance.
The Library has prominent archaeology and Scottish local history collections, and also excels in the natural sciences. World-wide art and design is the other main collecting strength with material covering everything from fashion, to jewellery and silverwork, to Japanese design and printmaking.
The institutional archive tells the story of the Museum and of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland whose historic library and archive are amalgamated with the Museums’. The Archive can be browsed using the Special Collections & Archives finding guides. The stand-out visual material includes the card index of the Scottish Life Archive (a document of Scottish agricultural and social life in the 20th century), the Daniel Wilson scrapbook (comprising sketches and cuttings of early 19th century Edinburgh’s old town), and the archive of textile historian Margaret Swain (records of textiles contained in Scottish private collections). The Library holds the Graham Gadd collection of 19th and early 20th century furniture ephemera and ceramics artist Majel Davidson’s papers, sketches and designs. There is also the advertising archive of Jenners, Scotland’s former, oldest department store.
To view Special Collections and Archives, complete this booking request form in advance.
This post was written by guest editor Jennifer Higgins of NMS Library.
Remember we have a full subscription to BFI Player, available for all University of Edinburgh students and staff! This month is BFI’s springtime celebration of queer cinema.
Access BFI Player here.
Bookmarks 2024 took place at ECA on Wednesday 27th March from 1.00pm to 7.00pm at the ECA Sculpture Court.
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.
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:
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.
This month’s issue of Library Updates newsletter highlights our work for LGTBQ+ History Month, the launch of new library tours for staff, and some updates about our staff.
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:
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.
Guest post written by Bronwen Brown, Library Development Leader – Music and Art & Design Collections, Edinburgh Central Library.
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
This month’s issue of Library Updates newsletter highlights our work focusing on wellbeing, health, and holidays, and activities within the schools of PPLS, Divinity and the New College Library.
Did you know that as an alumnus you are still entitled to access some of our fantastic library resources? Find out more at the alumni resources webpage here. If you are an alumnus of the University of Edinburgh there is more information about how to join the library here.
