Shetland Library is preparing to welcome staff from the National Library of Scotland next week, as part of a nationwide tour marking the organisation’s 100th anniversary.
The centenary programme sees the National Library take highlights from its collections beyond its Edinburgh base, sharing them with communities across the country. The tour also aligns with the National Year of Reading.
From Tuesday 12 to Friday 15 May, the tour will arrive in Shetland, coinciding with the Outwith: Valda, MacDiarmid and Whalsay exhibition at Shetland Museum & Archives.
Alongside supporting the exhibition, visiting staff will deliver activities across the isles, including school sessions, community workshops at the Yell Community Library and Bigton Hymhus, and a visit to Bressay aboard the mobile library.
Catherine Jeromson, Team Leader for Library Reader Services, said: “We are very fortunate that the National Library of Scotland has chosen to visit Shetland as part of its centenary celebrations. Opportunities like this don’t come around often, and it is incredibly valuable for our communities to engage directly with such nationally important collections and expertise.
“As well as their artefacts on loan to our partners at Shetland Museum & Archives, the team will share their knowledge, skills and resources through sessions across the isles. During the National Year of Reading, it is especially important to create opportunities for people to connect with reading, heritage and stories. We hope people of all ages will come along, get involved, and discover something new about Shetland’s place in Scotland’s wider story.”
Members of the public can also book onto free sessions at Shetland Library on Thursday 14 May -
- 2.30pm – Putting Shetland on the Map
- 3.30pm – Virtual Reading Room: See Special Collections from a Distance
- 4.30pm – Exploring E-Resources
- 5.30pm – A Journey Through the National Library’s Treasures
There will also be drop-in activities running for all ages from 2 to 7pm.
The visit offers a rare opportunity for local residents to engage with nationally significant collections without leaving the islands.
For more information or to book a place, visit the Shetland Library website or call 01595 743868.