Today we took tours of two major libraries in Edinburgh: the New College Library at the University of Edinburgh and the Edinburgh Central Library. The first one, obviously, is academic and the second one is a public library. While both libraries were fantastic and the librarians were extremely enthusiastic and knowledgeable, I was struck by the difference in disability access between the two libraries.
Before heading out, I had to take a few pictures of the dorm area, especially because today was so sunny and beautiful.
We went to New College first, and we were all struck by its architectural beauty. I'm sure you can see why.
The librarians, as with pretty much every librarian we have encountered in the UK, were very kind and open to questions. They gave us a tour of the innards of the library and discussed some of their policies. Originally, the building was a church, which is why the interior is so lovely and has such beautiful stained glass windows. Truly, this is one of the prettiest libraries we have visited.
The New College Library serves the University of Edinburgh's Divinity School and has a vast collection of books and other materials pertaining to religion, especially Christianity. On the side here is a picture of a first edition of the King James Bible, for instance.
One element of the library that struck me was the pamphlet about student disability services at their library. I was intrigued because so many of the places we visited in London were not accessible at all to people with disabilities, but Scotland seems to be a bit different. During the Q&A, I asked the main librarian if Scotland had different building codes than London, and I told her I thought Scotland seemed more aware of the challenges disabled patrons face. She told me that, sadly, they have to contend with Historic Scotland when it comes to renovation, even if the renovation is to improve accessibility, and they have a very tight rope to walk, so to speak. Most sad of all is the fact that students in wheelchairs cannot enter the building because of the absence of wheelchair ramps. She said students in wheelchairs do, however, have the option of employing a helper who will come to the library on their behalf and check out any materials they need. She said, though, that often times when a student in a wheelchair is accepted to their school, they do have to talk to the student about the extra challenges he or she will face and often advise him or her to find another school. I was really shocked hearing this, knowing anything even close to that would warrant a lawsuit in the United States. This goes to show you there are cultural differences. That being said, I felt the librarians at New College were trying their very best to make the library as accessible as possible to disabled students while trying not to violate any building codes or historic preservation regulations.
In between library visits, we did have some free time to roam Edinburgh and get lunch. The view right in front of the New College Library is magnificent! Can you imagine getting to see this on your way to work everyday, let alone see it every time you look out your window at work?
Truly. Beautiful.
I bought some Scottish necklaces today, and Lexie and I encountered a few interesting characters while walking the streets of Edinburgh.
After lunch, we went to the Edinburgh Central Library, and we had a blast. My friend Lexie and I arrived twenty minutes or so early, which gave us some time to look around and take some pictures.
I know I keep saying this after practically every library visit, but this one really was my favorite of the trip. The library is huge and does so many good things for the community. Apparently, throughout the past year or so the library has gone through some renovations, and the building is wonderful. Let's just say the Edinburgh Central Library puts every other public library I've seen (UK and US) to shame! The building was constructed in 1890 and is part of the Historic Scotland registry, which means they face the same kinds of construction challenges as the New College Library. However, the Central Library has learned how to adapt under pressure.
According to Fiona, the charming and indefatigable librarian who gave us the grand tour, the library has gone through many renovations over the past year and a half, and several of the rooms and services we saw were completed as recently as May.
The children's room, of which Fiona was most proud (with good reason!), really is a child's delight. I can just picture sweet little Scottish children curling up with their copies of Harry Potter here. Wouldn't you want to?
According to Fiona, the librarians all participated in planning this wing of the library, and it is apparent that a great deal of consideration and thought went into this space. We loved it!
The children's library is split into three rooms: the back room (see first pictures of the children's library) holds the 5 and under books, the front room holds the beginning readers and YA, and the side room (see below) is the arts and crafts room. We asked the librarian pictured below what he was making, and he replied, "A Loch Ness Monster." Ha!
There are several floors in this library, and they have used their space well. The adult fiction/non-fiction part of the library was the prettiest.
In the fourth picture (second row, right) are the books on reserve. I took a picture of them because the librarians apparently cover the reserved books with a special wrapping. I thought this was very smart because no one can see what the patron has ordered. This way, people are less likely to steal bestsellers. Very smart.
The music library is in a new location and is very well laid out.
The local history library is actually what you see in the bottom floor; the music library is where I stood while taking the two pictures above. As you can see, the local history part of the library was very accessible and comfortable to use.
The reference library is farther down in the building. Interestingly, the reference library is still in the same building as it was in 1890, and they still have a...wait for it...card catalog! That is my gigantic paw in the picture below. Apparently, they did not dispose of their card catalog once they switched over to the online form. I thought this was smart, considering in the event of a power outage or any other catastrophe, all is not lost!
The architecture there is beautiful, still retaining the elegance and opulence of the Victorian era, but also allowing for improvements to make the building more accessible.
Speaking of accessibility, the Edinburgh Central Library takes disability access very seriously, not only renovating to have a lift, but also including audio programs for the blind and event special events and programs to help people with Dyslexia. I was truly impressed and believe many of the libraries back home can take a lesson or two from this library.
After the tour, we were treated to afternoon tea and biscuits (or "cookies") and a PowerPoint presentation by a very charming man who runs the electronic/online programs at ECL. He joked at the beginning that after making sure we were tired from a long tour and giving us a snack, he was there to ensure we went to sleep, saying he regretted to inform us the PowerPoint was unfortunately very typical. I thought he was hilarious!
ECL has a good many online programs for the community, helping people at all ages and of all abilities. There are way too many things going on there for me to list in this post, but you can read all about them on their website.
During the Q&A, I asked Fiona something that had been on my mind throughout the entire visit. "We've been to many libraries throughout London and the UK," I said, "and they seem to be struggling thanks to budget cuts, with many of them having to close down. You seem to be prospering, though. How have you managed to avoid this pitfall?" She told me there were several reasons for this, the first of which is the amount of online activity, which both justifies their presence in the community and brings more people in to the library. She also pointed out that Edinburgh's city council makes sure there is funding for the libraries. Lastly, she said the attitude in Scotland is just different because "we really care about our libraries." While that could easily be mistaken for a dig at the English, I think she really meant what she was saying, and I have seen it first-hand here in the UK. For one, the man giving the PowerPoint said there are over 28 libraries in Edinburgh alone; when you take into account how small Edinburgh is for a major city (less than half a million people), the book to person ratio is pretty big. It has been interesting to witness these issues and compare them to the problems going on in libraries back in the U.S.
All in all, it was a beautiful day, and I enjoyed every moment!
*****
I have since returned to the library just to read and research, and it really is a gem in Edinburgh. The librarians are so helpful, too. They assured us anyone in the world can have a library card with them. I did not get one since it would only tempt me to check out books...and I'm worried I would not have time to return them! I'm coming back to Edinburgh, though, that is for certain.
More about Scotland to come....
Love,
Laura
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