Libraries are full of surprises. Take last week…
Visitors to Oxgangs, Central and Wester Hailes Libraries were taken aback when one of their fellow browsers burst into song. Things got stranger still when a “member of staff” joined in… and what about the guy playing the piano in the corner – where did he appear from??
This was “Love in a Library” – a series of “guerilla operas” put on by our chums from the Edinburgh International Festival. Here’s a film of one of the performances along with an interview with the performers. Bravo!

This week is Adult Learners’ Week. What’s it all about?

Adult Learners’ Week is a national celebration of the benefits of lifelong learning. We’re getting involved with writing workshops, singing, cooking, and facebook sessions – for details see our events calendar.
But why are libraries getting involved?

Shall we count the ways? First, here’s the fearless Annie Bell handing out books to unsuspecting builders and bus passengers.

Meanwhile wannabe pirates were solving a series of clues in order to locate “treasure” (books!) at a mystery location somewhere in Leith.
Several libraries were lucky enough to host visits from authors including Allan Guthrie, Andrew Greig and Caroline Dunford. At Corstorphine Library readers got together to share and swap books and reading recommendations.

A group of British expatriates meet for their weekly Alcoholics Anonymous meeting in Rome. At first the drama is low-key, little more than the nervous chatter of dry-drunks and their less disciplined colleagues.

To celebrate the forthcoming Edinburgh International Harp Festival, now in its 32nd year, Central Library will be hosting a ‘harps in session’ in the foyer on Sat 23rd March from 12-1pm and 1.30 – 2.30. Various harp players will fill the library with their magical sounds.

Just announced – details of three fascinating local history talks we’ve got lined up for you as part of our continuing Edinburgh Tales series.
On 17th April historical researcher and author Ruth Boreham will be celebrating the “Fascinating women of Edinburgh”.

Saturday 9th February is National Libraries Day. How will you celebrate? We’ve come up with a few ideas, but we’re sure you can think of more…

According to the history books, British Rule in India ended in 1947 with Indian independence, but the reality for the battalions of Scots who manned the myriad of jute mills that lined the majestic Hooghly river in Bengal was somewhat different.

Iain Banks, Kate Atkinson and Louise Welsh are among the highlights of our spring 2013 programme of free “Edinburgh Reads” author events.
We are really looking forward to welcoming Case Histories author (and Edinburgh book group favourite) Kate Atkinson who will discuss her new novel, Life after Life, in March.
Iain Banks

Here at Newington Library we’re getting ready for the latest in a series of talks we have been hosting in association with Surgeon’s Hall Museum.
This coming Tuesday Malcolm MacCallum will give a talk entitled “Human Race : Inside the history of sports medicine”. The talk is based around last year’s City Art Centre exhibition which formed part of the Cultural Olympiad.