Events in 2010
Events organised by the National Library of Scotland. Last updated: 10 March. The venue is the George IV Bridge Building unless we give a different location. Places are limited, so we strongly recommend that you book in advance. Book online or phone 0131 623 3918. Events are free, unless we state otherwise.
March events | April events | May events | June events
March events
Workshop: Discovering family history at NLS
Find out how we can help you with your family history research. For more information, see the readers' workshops page.
Wednesday 10 March
18.00-19.30
Book online or phone 0131 623 3918.
Workshop: Beyond Google
An introduction to Credo Reference and Oxford Reference Online
Learn how to access hundreds of quality reference books online. For more information, see the readers' workshops page.
Wednesday 17 March
18.00-19.30
Book online or phone 0131 623 3918.
NLS Film Club: 'Health and fitness'
We regret that we have had to cancel the film club event scheduled for 18 March.
Workshop: Business information at NLS
Find out how NLS can help you develop your business in one of our two workshops. For more information, see the readers' workshops page.
Wednesday 24 March
14.00-15.30 and 18.00-19.30
To book, email enquiries@scotbis.com or phone 0131 225 8488.
A Gray Play evening
Join author, playwright and artist Alasdair Gray and special guests for an evening of spoken word and performance. The event marks the recent publication of 'A Gray Play Book' featuring 22 plays. They include 'The Fall of Kelvin Walker' on 1967 TV and 'Voices in the Dark', recently staged at Glasgow's Oran Mor. Event followed by book signing.
Thursday 25 March
18.00
Book online or phone 0131 623 3918.
Conference: 'Contemporary Argentina: Reading the last decade'
Prize-winning Argentinean novelist Guillermo Martínez (pictured), Professor Evelyn Fishburn and Dr Ben Bollig will talk about recent developments in prose and poetry from Argentina. Topics will range from leading fiction writers to poetry from Patagonia, and the question of how authors are made 'great' in Argentina. All welcome.
Friday 26 March
11.30-16.30
To book, contact Fiona Mackintosh: f.j.mackintosh@ed.ac.uk or phone 0131 650 8303.
Talk: 'Exploring the world from Albemarle Street'
'Reading John Murray's books of travel'
The London firm John Murray was a major 19th-century publisher of travel and exploration narratives, as well as literary fiction. Murray's travellers spanned the globe, bringing home tales of adventure, exploration, discovery and scientific survey. Drawing on the John Murray Archive, Dr Innes Keighren of Edinburgh University reveals the experiences of these writers and the publishing of their books.
Wednesday 30 March
18.00
Book online or phone 0131 623 3918.
April events
Workshop: Discovering family history at NLS
Find out how we can help you with your family history research. For more information, see the readers' workshops page.
Monday 12 April
14.00-15.30
Book online or phone 0131 623 3918.
Workshop: Getting started at NLS
Learn how to get a library card, find your way around the Library and request materials from our collections. For more information, the readers' workshops page.
Tuesday 13 April
14.30-16.00
Book online or phone 0131 623 3918.
Panel discussion: Heinrich Schliemann
Heinrich Schliemann is one of the most famous and controversial 19th-century archaeologists. He claimed that his fabulous discoveries at Mycenae in Greece and Troy in Turkey proved the historic reality of Homer's tales of the Trojan Wars. David Trail, one of Schliemann's leading biographers and critics, will lead this discussion and debate via a live web link.
Tuesday 13 April
18.00
Book online or phone 0131 623 3918.
'Dramatic developments: Scottish theatre from the '70s to the '90s'
Professor Randall Stevenson
The revival in Scottish drama began in the 1970s, or even before. This lecture explores the roots and nature of developments involved, and the work of playwrights concerned. It also examines the consequences which helped shape the wider success of Scottish writing later in the 20th century.
Thursday 15 April
18.00
Book online or phone 0131 623 3918.
Workshop: Beyond Google
An introduction to Credo Reference and Oxford Reference Online
Learn how to access hundreds of quality reference books online. For more information, see the readers' workshops page.
Tuesday 20 April
14.00-15.30
Book online or phone 0131 623 3918.
Spoken word/performance: 'A night in the Gutter'
We open our doors after hours for this first in a series of evenings of spoken word and performance. 'Gutter' is Scotland's new independent magazine of fiction and poetry. Under the eye of tonight's master of ceremonies, Mr Alan Bissett, well-known names and some new writers on the block will present their diverse, delicate and sometimes dangerous work. The bar will be open.
Tuesday 22 April
20.00
Book online or phone 0131 623 3918.
Inspirations at NLS – Janice Galloway
One of Scotland's most celebrated authors visits NLS to tell us what has inspired her over the years. From the great composers of classical music, the nonsense of Edward Lear and the wit of Armando Ianucci, Janice's influences are as varied as her many works. Book early to avoid disappointment.
Tuesday 27 April
18.00
Book online or phone 0131 623 3918.
May events
Workshop: Discovering family history at NLS
Find out how we can help you with your family history research. For more information, see the readers' workshops page.
Tuesday 4 May
10.00-11.30
Book online or phone 0131 623 3918.
Workshop: Getting started at NLS
Learn how to get a library card, find your way around the Library and request materials from our collections. For more information, the readers' workshops page.
Wednesday 5 May
11.00-12.30
Book online or phone 0131 623 3918.
James Runcie: 'David Hume and the art of dying well'
James Runcie examines the precise, honest, and personal manner in which Scotland's greatest philosopher came to terms with his mortality. His starting point is David Hume's 1776 manuscript for his short autobiography, 'My Own Life', which is held at the National Library. He looks at Hume's preparation for death, within both the classical and the medieval tradition of 'the art of dying well'.
Wednesday 5 May
18.00
Book online or phone 0131 623 3918.
NLS at Ullapool Book Festival – Iain Banks
Iain Banks gives us an exclusive preview from his new and unpublished science fiction. With 24 novels published to date, Iain remains one of Scotland's most celebrated and successful authors. This is a chance to ask him a question or two at the sixth Ullapool Book Festival.
Friday 7 May
19.30
Ullapool Village Hall
Tickets £6.
Book online at the Booth or by post from Ullapool Book Festival, PO Box 27, Ullapool IV26 2WY, (cheques payable to Ullapool Book Festival) enclosing sae.
Workshop: Beyond Google
An introduction to Credo Reference and Oxford Reference Online
Learn how to access hundreds of quality reference books online. For more information, see the readers' workshops page.
Thursday 13 May
10.00-11.30
Book online or phone 0131 623 3918.
Sophie Kingshill: 'The lore of Scotland'
With Jennifer Westwood, Sophia Kingshill has produced what must be the definitive guide to Scottish legends and folklore. Among the wealth of material researched for this book were the papers of J F Campbell (PDF: 4 pages), a leading authority on Celtic myths, many of which are housed in NLS collections. Hear Sophia discuss these myths and other incredible tales from this beautiful book.
Tuesday 18 May
18.00
Book online or phone 0131 623 3918.
Inspirations at NLS – A L Kennedy
Author, stand-up comedian, playwright and television presenter – there is not much that A L Kennedy cannot do. But who or what has inspired her to achieve all that she has? Come and join one of Scotland's writing élite and hear about those influences.
Wednesday 26 May
18.00
Book online or phone 0131 623 3918.
June events
Workshop: Getting started at NLS
Learn how to get a library card, find your way around the Library and request materials from our collections. For more information, the readers' workshops page.
Thursday 3 June
18.00-19.30
Book online or phone 0131 623 3918.
Discussion: 'Burke and Hare: the re-telling of a true story'
Writer Martin Conaghan and guests discuss the infamous duo of William Burke and William Hare. The story of the 19th century's most prolific serial killers has now been turned into a graphic novel, with a major film on the way. Why does this story still fascinate us and how do you adapt it into this exciting new format?
Thursday 3 June
18.00
Book online or phone 0131 623 3918.
Workshop: Discovering family history at NLS
Find out how we can help you with your family history research. For more information, see the readers' workshops page.
Tuesday 8 June
18.00-19.30
Book online or phone 0131 623 3918.
Workshop: Beyond Google
An introduction to Credo Reference and Oxford Reference Online
Learn how to access hundreds of quality reference books online. For more information, see the readers' workshops page.
Friday 15 June
18.00-19.30
Book online or phone 0131 623 3918.
Panel discussion: 'The Place-Name Debate'
Find out why the promotion of Gaelic is important, and how wider official use of Gaelic place-names can contribute to it. The discussion will also look at how place-names are standardised in the rest of the world. Taking part: Jacob King (Ainmean-Àite na h-Alba), Peadar Morgan (Bòrd na Gàidhlig), and David Munro (UK representative, United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names). Organised in conjunction with the 'Trends in Toponymy' conference, Edinburgh University.
Wednesday 30 June
18.00
Book online or phone 0131 623 3918.
Telephone booking and further information
To reserve your places(s) for events book online or phone 0131 623 3918. For further information, or to join the events mailing list, email events@nls.uk.
Postal address:
National Library of Scotland
George IV Bridge
Edinburgh
EH1 1EW
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