Historic libraries · Central Scotland
Scottish Poetry Library
In or near Edinburgh.
Scottish Poetry Library — library in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.
Wikimedia Commons contributors — see linked file page for photographer and licence licence
Plan your visit
- Typical visit
- 45 min–1.5 h
- Nearest railway station
- Edinburgh Waverley · 0.7 km
- Limited wheelchair access
Getting there & planning your visit
The Scottish Poetry Library is located in the City of Edinburgh, postcode EH8 8DT. The nearest railway station is Edinburgh Waverley, which is 0.7 km away. Entry is free, but wheelchair accessibility is limited.
About
Scottish Poetry Library is a historic library in the United Kingdom. Records date its origin to 1984. Address: EH8 8DT. Wikidata describes it as: "library in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK". Coordinates: 55.9514°, -3.1785°.
Photo gallery
From the Wikipedia article
The Scottish Poetry Library is a public library with charitable status specialising in contemporary Scottish writing in English, Scots and Scottish Gaelic. The library, which is free to join for UK residents, celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2024. The SPL houses a borrowing and reference collection of books, pamphlets and audio material. Visitors are able to browse the shelves and read in the library.
Excerpt from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0. See the source article linked in Sources below.
Background
History
The library was founded in 1984 by poet Tessa Ransford. Tom Hubbard was its first librarian. The present Director, Asif Khan, was appointed from June 2016. Khan is supported by a team of librarians and specialist staff with expertise in collections management, special projects, learning, events and communications. The SPL is a limited company with charitable status. From November 2023, its Board was co-Chaired by Claudia Daventry and Charlie Roy. The SPL has status as a Creative Scotland Regularly Funded Organisation (RFO) with a remit to support audience development, literacy through reader development and creative writing classes with diverse groups, schools and public libraries, and to…
Description
Since 1999, the library has been based at 5 Crichton's Close, just off the Canongate in Edinburgh's Old Town. The library building was designed by Malcolm Fraser Architects, and was shortlisted for Channel 4's "Building of the Year" in 2000. It has been described as "a poem in glass and stone", and was included in Prospect magazine's 2005 list of the 100 best modern Scottish buildings.
Sourced from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Coordinates
- 55.9514, -3.1785
- District
- City of Edinburgh
- Postcode
- EH8 8DT
- Parliamentary constituency
- Edinburgh East and Musselburgh
- Phone
- +44 131 529 4143
- Established
- 1984
- Nearest railway station
- Edinburgh Waverley — 0.7 km
- Opening
- Mo-Sa 10:00-17:00; Aug: Su 12:00-17:00
- Official site
- www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk
Sources
- wikidata: Q15275733 (CC0)
- wikipedia: Scottish Poetry Library (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- commons: Scottish Poetry Library 2013.JPG (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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Frequently asked questions
- Where is Scottish Poetry Library?
- Scottish Poetry Library is in central Scotland, United Kingdom (postcode EH8 8DT).
- What is Scottish Poetry Library?
- Scottish Poetry Library — library in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.
- How do I get to Scottish Poetry Library?
- The nearest railway station is Edinburgh Waverley, about 0.7 km away. Drivers can use postcode EH8 8DT.
- When was Scottish Poetry Library built?
- Built or established in 1984.
- How do I get to Scottish Poetry Library?
- The nearest railway station is Edinburgh Waverley, about 0.7 km away. Drivers can navigate to postcode EH8 8DT.