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.

There’s something missing in the Teenage Zone at Leith Library…

…Teenagers! We’re looking for creative teenagers with a passion for communication, media and young adult fiction. Is that you?

Portobello Library’s Chatterbooks group for younger readers celebrated their last meeting of the year in their unique style. If you are the kind of person who enjoys dressing your pet up in festive attire there’s still time to enter Leith Library’s Festive Furballs competition. Entrants so far include a dead badger and an axolotl.

You know the festive season is well and truly here when Shakespeare gets his Christmas on. Optimistic library staff have hung their stockings by the fireplace but I’m not convinced Santa will find a way to squeeze past the radiator.

Welcome to Emily Dodd, Leith Library’s brand new Reader in Residence. Here Emily tells us a bit about herself and the work she’ll be doing.
My name is Emily Dodd and I’m working for the Scottish Book Trust 2.5 days as the Reader in Residence here in Leith Library.

The library is 80 years old and it’s a wonderful place, full of stories. The stories are in the books but also in the people here in Leith.

Here are just some of our events during October.  Check with your local library to find out what’s happening in your area.

How can chopsticks help your diet? Are all biscuits as bad as each other? And how do you motivate yourself to exercise as the nights draw in and the weather deteriorates?

Richard Irving
The head gardener at Jupiter Artland talks about his work at the sculpture park. He has helped many of the artists install their pieces on site, including Charles Jencks’s landforms.
Wednesday 5th Spetember, 7 – 8pm, Blackhall Library
To book call 0131 529 5595 or email blackhall.library@edinburgh.gov.uk

Click to view slideshow.
Time for another pictorial trip round the libraries. It rained so much during July that Newington’s younger readers took the entirely sensible option of building themselves a ship. And not just any ship, this was a pirate ship me hearties. Yarr.
Luckily talented cellist Islay Roberts was not forced to walk the plank and was free instead to treat Newington’s more sophisticated landlubbers to a refined evening of musical entertainment.

Eighty years ago this month Leith Library opened and – despite the best efforts of Adolf Hitler – it’s not only still here, it’s thriving.