Page updated: 25 May.
Our workshops run regularly throughout the year. You can find future events advertised on this page a few weeks in advance.
When you book an event, your personal information will be held and used by the National Library of Scotland and our third-party suppliers for the purposes of allowing you to attend the event and for audience research. See our privacy pages, in particular our events privacy notice, for more information.
We expect attendees to behave respectfully towards presenters, guests and other audience members.
See also: Events
Workshops for schools
Discover our programme of workshops for senior secondary school classes and their teachers.
Library Social
Library Social is a series of relaxed events for people living with dementia, and their families, carers and supporters.
Zine making workshop: LGBT lives, histories, and experiences
A free zine making workshop at the National Library of Scotland on the theme of LGBT lives, histories, and experiences. Materials provided.
Wednesday 21 June
4pm to 6pm
George IV Bridge
Free. Book 'Zine making workshop' via Eventbrite
Online creative writing workshops with Beth Godfrey
Beth Godfrey.
Led by poet and spoken word performer Beth Godfrey, this series of online, lunchtime sessions takes inspiration from the National Library of Scotland's Treasures exhibition.
The workshops are stand-alone, but related, and are open to all aspiring writers.
Bring your creativity and enjoy a midday break full of inspiration.
Wednesday 7 June
12:30pm to 1:30pm
Online via Zoom.
Free. Book 'Online creative writing' via Eventbrite
Navigating the maps website
The map images website is a wonderful resource, with over 250,000 historical maps available to view.
Learn how it works in an interactive workshop, guided by an experienced member of the maps team. Discover how to find specific maps and use our geo-referenced and side-by-side viewers. You will also gain tips on the print function, measurement tools, gazetteers, and lots more.
There will be a question and answer session at the end. This online workshop is hands-on, so be ready to visit the maps website and build your skills.
Monday 29 May
3pm to 4pm
Online via Zoom.
Free. Book 'Navigating the maps website' via Eventbrite
Introduction to family history
Our family history workshop will introduce you to digital and physical genealogy resources in the Library and beyond.
If you already know the outline of your family tree, find out how you can add details to the story.
Followed by a question and answer session.
Wednesday 31 May
3pm to 4pm
Online via Zoom
Free. Book 'Introduction to Family History' via Eventbrite
Researching your house history
Learn about how the Library's resources can tell you the history of your house.
We will show you how maps can shed light on the built history of your house and the local area. Then we will look at how digital and physical resources can fill in the narrative.
There will be a question and answer session at the end.
Wednesday 14 June
3pm to 4pm
Online via Zoom.
Free. Book 'House history' via Eventbrite
Women's Lives and Writings: Online Resources for Scottish Residents
Discover new e-Resources for researching women’s political, intellectual and personal lives from 1500-2000. In this workshop we will show you tips and tricks for searching in three databases:
- Archives of Sexuality and Gender
- British and Irish Women’s Letters & Diaries
- Nineteenth Century Literary Society
These e-Resources can be accessed in the Library or from home if you are resident in Scotland. The Scottish residency requirement is due to licensing reasons which are beyond the Library's control.
Tuesday 20 June
4pm to 5pm
Online via Zoom.
Free. Book Women's Lives and Writings: Online Resources for Scottish Residents via Eventbrite.
Me, Masel and I: Findin Yer Ain Scots Voice
Image by Kat Gollock
A relaxed creative writing workshop for young people in S4 to S6. Be guided through fun activities to find yer ain Scots voice, with award winning writer and translator, Thomas Clark.
No experience necessary.
Friday 23 June
2:30pm to 4:30pm
George IV Bridge
Free. Book 'Me, Masel, and I' via Eventbrite.
Additional
Watch recorded events
Online events and filmed talks are available on the Library Player
Visitor Centre Edinburgh
A café, our shop, and our exhibitions are open to everyone who visits our George IV Bridge building in Edinburgh