Talks and Visits

Map Collections staff are often asked to give talks about maps and related subjects. We are able to accommodate around 12 visits each year, and up to four outside talks, so do book early. While visits to the Maps Reading Room can sometimes be made at 3-4 weeks' notice, talks outside the Library usually need to be booked at least 6-12 months ahead.

• Visits to the Maps Reading Room are particularly interesting, as it gives you an opportunity to see original maps. These are suitable for small groups (maximum 16). For societies, such as family and local historians, these talks or workshops usually involve a map display relating to the group's interests, with a short talk of around 45-60 minutes around the display table. These talks are normally held in the afternoon (or morning) as the Maps Reading Room is closed after 5pm.
  
  

  Other forms of visit can also be arranged. For example in the past we have been asked to do:

  Staff training:
  
  • Public libraries and archives local studies staff (one day or half day)
    Teachers' in-service training (for secondary school geographers or historians, or for primary teachers).
  Introductory courses for students:
  
  • History postgraduates
    Geography undergraduates
    Trainee teachers (primary and secondary)
    Library school students
• Staff give talks outside the Library, usually illustrated by slides or digital images, on a wide range of topics relating to maps, such as maps for local and family history, digitisation, the resources of the Maps Reading Room, Scots overseas - or any appropriate subject. We usually tailor the talk to your needs, so please contact us as soon as possible (at least six months ahead) so that there is time to prepare illustrations. We have given talks from Stornoway and Inverness to London, so distance is no object, but the inviting organisation is expected to pay travel, accommodation and subsistence costs. There is no charge for the speaker. As these talks take a good deal of time to prepare, we would not normally accept a reservation unless at least 25 people are expected to attend. If your group is smaller, perhaps you could arrange a visit to the Map Library instead?
• Map Collections staff organise seminars on maps and map-related topics, usually once a year. Do let us know if you would like to be put on the mailing list to hear about these seminars: maps@nls.uk

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