National Library of Scotland (NLS)
What is the National Library of Scotland?
The National Library of Scotland (NLS) is Scotland’s largest research library housing millions of books, manuscripts, music and maps covering virtually every subject. It is also the worlds leading centre for the study of Scotland and the Scots.
Spanning material from the 5th century to the present day, NLS houses over 14 million books, 2 million maps, over three miles of manuscripts, and thousands of photographs, music items and newspapers.
From Mary Queen of Scots last letter and online maps of Scotland to the latest graphic novels, the libraries collections are a diverse provides a wealth of information for learning.
Scottish Screen Archive
Scottish Screen Archive locates, preserves and provides access to Scotland's moving image heritage. The film collections are primarily non-fiction and illustrate the life and work of Scotland's people during the last century. Subjects cover everything from home life, work life, wartime, industry, amateur filmmaking and advertising and promotional films.
John Murray Archive
One of the most significant publishing archives in the world, the John Murray Archive comprises the records of the John Murray publishing house from the 1760s – 1930s. Murray published many great authors and thinkers in literature, science, politics, religion, travel and exploration including David Livingstone, Charles Darwin, Lord Byron and James Hogg. However, the archive is not just a way of understanding the world of the nineteenth century, it can also help us understand and consider important issues affecting us today.
Education at the National Library of Scotland
NLS collections chart the global and historical influence of the Scots at home and abroad and the ideas and cultures of the world and can provide your school with opportunities across the curriculum.
The National Library of Scotland education team works with teachers and practitioners in literature and the arts to develop innovative cross-curricular learning resources for schools which support the key capacities of A Curriculum for Excellence. Learning opportunities include:
- regular free exhibitions which are open for school visits
- workshops and events for schools which are listed in the ‘learning at the library’ leaflet
- online and printed resources to support teaching and learning using its collections
- CPD evening events and teacher placements for teachers
- Projects with single or small groups of schools.