My library visits for National Library Day NLD13

Usually my library visits for NLD are in the Durham area but this year I'm in Edinburgh. I started yesterday as I was at work and needed to check out a few library buildings anyhow. At the Kings Buildings site of Edinburgh University there is a brand new library - the Murray Library. There is still some of the library areas in other buildings but mainly study areas and teaching and learning clusters. This is in the Darwin Building.




There is also a library store with older books and journals




The Murray library is in an impressive new building with a cafe on the ground floor. It is a mixture of books and computer spaces.








It is great but not that spacious I don't think and they have a sort of 'atrium' (inevitably) and so the noise comes up from the cafe. It's well used and there is an outside balcony space with seating for in the warmer weather.
Later in the day I went back to George Square and to the main library. It is a brilliant library, large with a variety of different areas and different resources. It is well used by students and an ideal university library for many people. But it's not for me - I prefer the library at Edinburgh College of Art or the Divinity Library at New College - luckily there is a choice. (When I was in the Main Library I asked if they were doing anything for National Libraries Day - they replied no, nothing - I wonder why not...)




Today I was with my friend Kate who has come to visit. It's a bit mean of me to expect my guests to do what I want when they have made the effort to come and stay so a bit of compromising was needed :) We walked to Fountainbridge Library. It is in an impressive building.








There was a lot going on in the library - lots of people of all ages, plenty of activities, it was fairly noisy but in an upbeat happy way. The staff were friendly and efficient. There was a mixture of books and other resources including newspapers. There were computers in the main area and in a separate area.




It had a good community feel, as if it was part of other support services and mutually beneficial.
We then walked to the Scottish Gallery of Modern Art. Beautiful buildings and interesting art although some of it was too outlandish for me - I'm not interested in angry, explicit stuff. I like the buildings and the 'everything is going to be alright' and the 'no miracles'.








A surprise was that there was a library there The Gabrielle Keiller Library - Surrealist artists, authors, poets etc.




Next we headed back into the city centre then George IV Bridge to the Central Library. I visit here quite frequently so it was just an extra visit for NLD. I like this library, I'm not that keen on self service as I think you lose that relationship between the reader/borrower and the librarian and I don't think it is any more economical but it's not a deal breaker for me.




I love the shelving in this library.
We went upstairs with the intention of going to the reference library but instead went to the Fine Art library - it was lovely. Lots of great books and interesting artifacts.








Hinder a librarian at your peril!




Book sculptures
Finally onto the National Library of Scotland for a quick look round








Then it was time for tea and cake. I enjoy visiting libraries - they are a vital resource for many people and should be supported by us all.

Book Sculpture

I have seen this book sculpture a few times as it is outside the Informatics building in George Square. I took a photo of it today because the sun was shining after days of rain and it cast an interesting shadow. The plaque explaining the sculpture is situated below it so it doesn't detract from the book itself.






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My 'A Moment in Time' Library Visits

In December 2010, I decided that I wanted to visit as many libraries as I could - as part of every day life. I started this blog to record details of my visits. I wanted to visit libraries for a number of reasons
1. Political reasons - libraries closing due to public sector cuts and the need for all those who value libraries to publicise their importance.
2. The increase in use of digital resources does not mean libraries are not needed, they are needed more than ever.
3. Libraries are fantastic and interesting - escapism, peace and quiet, historical, useful and fun.
4. I like visiting libraries - I think all libraries should be open to all and people should make the effort to visit them and if you work in a library you should promote and advocate libraries.

Since Dec 2010 I've visited 39 libraries (plus 5 almosts i.e.ones that I've got to the door but no further due to access restrictions).
They have been mainly a mixture of public libraries and academic libraries.
I'm not sure what I've achieved.
Hopefully it has had a positive effect on the libraries that I've visited - one more user who has appreciated the space, resources and library assistant/librarian.
I've blogged about them which may help raise awareness (every little helps). I've done my bit to promote and advocate the use of libraries and explain that they are essential.
I feel very fortunate that I have always been able to visit libraries since I was about 5 and in which ever area of the country I've lived in. I realize that I'm probably not very important as a reason to keep public libraries open as I have access to other libraries, to online resources and have the means to buy and borrow books from friends or shops. But I do feel it is, and should be, a right for everyone to have access to libraries especially young people and children.
One important point it has made me realize is that I have a different view of libraries from a professional point of view than I do from a personal point of view and it is the professional part that is important. Libraries need to be relevant, they need to provide access to books but also access to a wide variety of electronic resources. They need to provide space, space to learn. They need to provide expertise and the people to facilitate the search for information and knowledge. Most of the libraries that I've visited do provide these crucial elements.
From a personal point of view I'm glad I can visit libraries because I want to look at the books and be in the space to stand and stare and feel the history and the mixture between purposefulness and escapism.


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Wellcome Library

Last week when I was in London for a conference, I was walking back along Euston Road and passed the Wellcome Collection building and remembered that I had read about the library so decided to go in and visit.  It is a impressive and interesting building with a very nice cafe and shop although I didn't have time to stop for tea. The library is on the 3rd floor but you have to leave your bags and coats in the cloakroom.


The library was much more beautiful than I had imagined with an impressive central area and staircase. It is one of those libraries where you just want to stand and stare and take in the awesomeness of it. There were study tables in the main central part and then lots of books and shelving.






I was expecting the books to be all medical and science but they weren't - there was lots of philosophy and history and books about books (we could come on a family trip here as there would be plenty of stuff for T1 and T2 as well as me). I liked the names of the philosophers, scientists etc. that were displayed around the edges of the mezzanine level. It gave a sense of history but in a modern way showing that they are still relevant today.
It was a brilliant mix of old and new - lots of new shelving too and a viewing room to watch videos etc.  There were some little kiosk pedastel things for listening / watching YouTube clips with headphones.
I very much enjoyed my visit, it's free admission so if you're passing then go in.

Art and Architecture Library

One Monday morning recently I had finance training for three hours. I appreciate that finance training is essential in order to use the systems correctly but it is so boring. Anyhow when I came out of the building on Chamber Street and started to walk back to work I noticed through a window that there was a library. I went to investigate and discovered it was Edinburgh University Art and Architecture Library. I went in for a quick look round - quite a small library with study tables and chairs in the centre of the room and shelving with books round the edges.  Lots of great books and I found a whole section of marvellous gardening books so spent my lunch hour looking through them. I'm not sure whether there was any computers for students to use but there were quite a few people in there working and using the books and study spaces.

New College Library, Edinburgh

New College Library is the
University of Edinburgh's School of Divinity Library. It is on Mound Place and was founded in 1843. It is a beautiful old building accessed through a courtyard behind a statue of John Knox.



It is not a big library and is one big room really with tables and chairs in the middle and shelves of books around the edge. I think there is a further reading room and stacks on another floor.
I'm particularly interested in theology libraries as my first degree was religious studies. I was pleased to see that the students studying in the library were much more 'cool and trendy' than in the past although maybe all students are.
I read a theology journal, a couple of sermons and sat and looked at the windows.






One thing that really struck me was this plaque.



I don't know anything about Adam Mitchell Hunter so will have to find out about him but how wonderful that a plaque was created and displayed to celebrate that he 're-arranged' the library.
In today's world he would have had to transform or totally rebuild the library to be of note but it is probably just a matter of the language used for the same level of achievement. A glorious understatement.

Baltic Library

I've visited the Baltic Mill Art Gallery at Gateshead many times. I very much like the building but sometimes struggle with the exhibitions. The views are brilliant of the Tyne and bridges. I like the fact that it is free admission and I think this is very important - if you want to show modern art and make it accessible to all then it will have to be free. This is particularly relevant in areas like the North East because people have less money but should have the same opportunities to participate in culture. Also because frankly some of it is an acquired taste and I would be disgruntled if not downright indignant if I'd had to pay to see it. ( as T1 has pointed out on a few occasions the best bit about the Baltic is the stairs.....especially when you're going out)
Anyhow Geoff and Kate both like going and I do really but like to wander aimlessly. Last weekend I discovered that there is a small library - how have I not seen this before? Is it new? It was very nice with an extensive collection of art books and some Macs. I'm not sure how you get to use any of the resources as there were no staff present but I'll remember it for next time.



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