Partnerships

We actively engage with a range of organisations and projects to extend the reach and impact of our work. We collaborate with research institutions, cultural initiatives, and other public sector bodies to share our knowledge and skills and to make our collections, more accessible and impactful.

Our partnerships are divided into several key areas, each supporting our overarching mission.

Cultural initiatives and partners

Our cultural collaborations bring historical and socially significant events to life through exhibitions, events, and projects.

We actively collaborate with other major Scottish cultural institutions. These partnerships allow us to share expertise, resources, and to jointly engage in initiatives that promote Scotland's rich heritage and contemporary culture.

Kelvin Hall is the home of the National Library of Scotland in Glasgow. It is a unique partnership between Glasgow Life, the University of Glasgow, and the National Library of Scotland.

Read more about Kelvin Hall

Other Scottish cultural partners include:

• Glasgow Life

• Historic Environment Scotland

• National Galleries of Scotland

• National Museums Scotland

• National Trust for Scotland

• National Records of Scotland

• Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

Public Sector partnerships

We collaborate with public sector partners to support our work and to develop well-designed, integrated services. This includes sharing expertise with other national collections and supporting and advocating for the wider library sector.

To find out more, or suggest a partnership or collaborative project, contact the Library.

Memorandums of Understanding

We formalise some of our collaborations through Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs). This makes sure that our work is following our strategic objectives and operational needs.

Current partners under MoUs include:

• BBC Scotland

• Glasgow Life and The British Library (Business & IP Centre, The Mitchell Library)

• Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Scotland's National Centre for Gaelic Language and Culture

• Scottish Enterprise

Membership bodies

We are an active member of several professional and academic bodies. This enhances our reach and capabilities through shared knowledge and resources and allows us to foster and support innovation in library and information services.

Our memberships include:

• Archives and Records Association (ARA)

• Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals in Scotland (CILIPS)

  • Green Libraries Partner

• Conference of European National Librarians (CENL)

• Digital Preservation Coalition (DPC)

• Film Archives UK

• International Association of Labour History Institutions

• International Association of Music Libraries, Archives, and Documentation Centres (IAML)

  • International

  • UK and Ireland branch

• International Association of Sound and Audiovisual Archives (IASA)

• International Council on Archives

• International Federation of Film Archives (FIAF)

• International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)

• International Internet Preservation Consortium (IIPC)

• Jisc

• National Acquisitions Group (NAG)

• Research Libraries UK (RLUK)

• Scotland's Sounds

• Scottish Confederation of University and Research Libraries (SCURL)

  • Scottish Higher Education Digital Library (SHEDL)

• Scottish Council on Archives

• Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC)

• Society of College, National and University Libraries (SCONUL)

• The Association for Manuscripts and Archives in Research Collections

• UKSG

Accreditations

• Archive Service Accreditation

• Cyber Essentials

National Library of Scotland Foundation

The National Library of Scotland Foundation (the Foundation) supports the charitable aims of the National Library of Scotland.

It was formed in 2013. Its mission is to enhance arts, heritage, culture, education, and research. It achieves this by awarding grants and offering financial backing for various projects and activities undertaken or endorsed by the Library.

The Foundation is managed by a Board of Trustees which meets four times a year. The Trustees are:

• Carolina Viola (Chair)

• Colin Beattie

• Alan Horn

• Mick Brewis

• Justin McKenzie Smith

• Karl Magee

• Anne Johnson

If you would like further information about the work of the Foundation, contact the Secretary to the Foundation:

Tim C Gardiner
The Rowans
9 Butlaw
South Queensferry
EH30 9SJ

The National Library of Scotland Foundation is a registered Scottish charity.

Scottish Charity No. SCO043799. Registered office: Princes Exchange 1, Earl Grey Street, Edinburgh, EH3 9EE.