As part of the National Library of Scotland’s 100th birthday celebrations, they are coming to visit us at Aberdeen Central Library on Saturday 8 November. Come and meet some of the team at National Library Live!
With free taster talks, family story sessions and a range of drop-in games and activities for all ages, everyone is welcome to discover more about the National Library of Scotland, who they are and what they do.
Putting Aberdeen on the map
Saturday 8 November, 11am
An illustrated romp through more than 400 years of maps showing Aberdeen and beyond, with Paula Williams. With examples drawn from the collection of the National Library of Scotland, travel through time to watch the growth and development of the city.
Speaker Bio: Paula Williams is curator of Maps, Mountaineering & Polar Collections at the National Library of Scotland.
A journey through the Library’s Treasures
Saturday 8 November, 12pm
What do Robert Burns and Kylie Minogue have in common? They’ve both featured in our ‘Treasures of the National Library of Scotland’ gallery in Edinburgh! Sarah Thomson will guide you through some of the many collections items that have been displayed in ‘Treasures’, from the Gutenberg Bible to Potato Pete.
Speaker Bio: Sarah is a curator in the Published Collections team at the National Library of Scotland, and she’s worked at the Library since 2018.
The Silver City on screen
Saturday 8 November, 1pm
Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of the Granite City on film preserved in your national moving image collection. From badly behaved dogs at Balmoral in 1896 to the oil boom and beyond – there’s something for everyone! You will also find out how to explore the archive from home.
Speaker Bio: Ann Cameron is a Curator in the moving image, sound and music team at the Library and can’t wait to hear what you think about seeing your city on the big screen!
There's no such thing as a silly question!
Saturday 8 November, 2pm
Using John Forbes’ ‘Songs and Fancies’ as a starting point, we will take you through the enquiry process with Maps and Special Collections, as well as showing off our extensive range of eResources and the fantastic Maps website.
Speaker Bio: Alison is a Map Assistant in the Reader Services team at the National Library of Scotland, and she’s worked at the Library for 26 years. Caspian is a Special Collections Assistant in the Reader Services team at the National Library of Scotland.
Aberdeen Archive Safari: where to look and what you’ll find
Saturday 8 November, 3pm
Anyone interested in the history of Aberdeen will find a wealth of resources spread across several organisations, but how do you know where to start, or what you might expect to find? Join staff from Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Archives, Aberdeen Local Studies and the National Library of Scotland to hear about what they offer, how they differ, and how their resources can come together to build a local picture of the past.
Speaker Bio: Phil Astley is City Archivist for Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Archives, Jill Dye is Head of Reader Services at the National Library of Scotland, and David Oswald is Local Heritage Librarian at Aberdeen City Libraries.