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 welcome to browse the shelves and have a relaxing read in the library.

History and status

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 promote opportunities for writers and performers for showcasing their talents at home and abroad.

The building

Since 1999, the library has been based at 5 Crichton's Close, just off the

Canongate The Canongate is a street and associated district in central Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland. The street forms the main eastern length of the Royal Mile while the district is the main eastern section of Edinburgh's Old Town. David ...

Edinburgh Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland and one of its 32 Council areas of Scotland, council areas. The city is located in southeast Scotland and is bounded to the north by the Firth of Forth and to the south by the Pentland Hills. Edinburgh ...

Old Town In a city or town, the old town is its historic or original core. Although the city is usually larger in its present form, many cities have redesignated this part of the city to commemorate its origins. In some cases, newer developments on t ...

. The library building was designed by Malcolm Fraser Architects, and was shortlisted for

Channel 4 Channel 4 is a British free-to-air public broadcast television channel owned and operated by Channel Four Television Corporation. It is state-owned enterprise, publicly owned but, unlike the BBC, it receives no public funding and is funded en ...

'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.

References

External links

* {{Coord, 55.9514, -3.1781, type:landmark_region:GB, display=title Scottish poetry Academic libraries in Scotland Libraries in Edinburgh Tourist attractions in Edinburgh Old Town, Edinburgh 1984 establishments in Scotland Library buildings completed in 1999 Libraries established in 1984 Poetry organizations Modern architecture in the United Kingdom