OUTWITH: National Library around Shetland

As part of a week of activity in collaboration with Shetland Library, join us in Lerwick to discover more about the National Library of Scotland at National Library Live. Look out for the team also in Bressay, Yell, and Bigton.

National Library Live in Shetland Library, Lerwick

Thursday 14 May, 2pm to 6:30pm
Free taster talks and a range of drop-in games and activities for all ages. Come and meet our staff, ask questions, and find out how to make the most of your National Library, wherever you live.

Bookable talks at Shetland Library

2:30pm - Putting Shetland on the map

The National Library of Scotland is home to over two million maps.  Discover how Shetland has appeared on maps from the 1500s to the present day, from early atlases and sea charts to detailed Ordnance Survey mapping. Join Laragh Quinney, Maps Reading Room Manager, for a celebration of this wonderful collection. 

3:30pm - Virtual Reading Room: See Special Collections from a distance

Step inside the National Library of Scotland’s Virtual Reading Room and uncover rare books and manuscripts relating to Shetland. Join Ailsa James, Special Collections Assistant, for a guided glimpse into these collections.

4:30pm - The category is... everything! Exploring our e-resources

The National Library of Scotland offers access to a huge variety of online e-Resources covering subjects including history, science, music, business, art and design, and family history. Join Justin Davies from the Access Reference Services team for a showcase of e-resource highlights and discover how easy it is to access this cornucopia of information.  

5:30pm - A journey through the National Library's treasures

Join Nicky Brooks, Exhibitions Officer, for a whistlestop tour through some of the National Library’s treasures, including some of her favourite stories from working behind-the-scenes with curators, conservators and collaborators. From the Gutenberg Bible and Hugh MacDiarmid’s letters to Scottish football programmes and a long-lost diary, every treasure has a tale to tell.

National Library around Shetland

Some of the National Library team will be travelling around Shetland from 12 to 15 May to coincide with the 'Outwith: Valda, MacDiarmid and Whalsay' exhibition at Shetland Museum & Archives. We will be delivering school sessions and community workshops as well as joining the mobile library on its travels.

Say hello to us in the following places:

Wednesday 13 May

• Speldiburn Cafe, Bressay, 2:30pm to 4pm.

• Yell Community Library, Mid Yell Junior High School (JHS), 5pm to 7pm

Friday 15 May

• OUTWITH Memories Group, Shetland Museum and Archives, Lerwick, 10am to 11am

• Hymhus, Bigton (times to be confirmed)

More information about these events

The National Library of Scotland's OUTWITH programme has been kindly supported by Garfield Weston Foundation, the NLS Foundation, The Gannochy Trust, P F Charitable Trust, Stichting Teuntje Anna (TA Fund), The Ettrick Trust, William Grant Foundation, Murdoch Forrest Charitable Trust, and by supporters of the National Library's Centenary Appeal.