The Library Blog

Edinburgh Napier University Library blog. Filled with useful and fun blog articles on using the Library, the University, Edinburgh and many other fun topics.

Welcome to the Edinburgh Napier University Library Blog 👋

12/01/2026 / / 0 Comments

We share friendly, practical posts from the Library team to help you study smarter, research with confidence, and make the most of the resources available to you at Edinburgh Napier University. We also have lots of fun, interesting posts on Scotland and on pretty much anything the Library staff find interesting!

Here you’ll find tips on things like finding good sources, referencing without the stress, using library spaces and digital tools, and navigating your way through assignments and deadlines. We also post updates about library services, new resources, and the occasional behind-the-scenes look at what’s going on in the Library.

Our aim is to keep things clear, helpful, and occasionally fun. Whether you’re new to university, deep into your dissertation, or just looking for a quick answer, this blog is here to support you throughout your studies.

New posts appear regularly during the academic year, so check back often — or dip in whenever you need a bit of library help.

Loneliness awareness week library support

Loneliness Awareness Week

15/06/2026 / / 0 Comments

Loneliness Awareness Week

 

Being alone and feeling alone can be two very different experiences altogether. Loneliness can manifest in various stages, events, and occurrences in our lives – even when we are surrounded by others. Life’s experiences and stages where we may be vulnerable to feeling lonely can include going through a break-up, bereavement, becoming a parent, moving to a new city or place, developing a chronic illness, suffering from declining physical or mental health, or even starting university.

Loneliness can affect any one of us at any point in our lives, which is a small part of why Loneliness Awareness Week was launched to raise awareness of this matter whilst trying to reduce the stigma and silence that often surrounds loneliness as an individual and wider social experience. This year, loneliness awareness week commences from the 15th of June to the 21st of June. Whether you or someone you know is experiencing loneliness or feeling alone in what they may be going through, there is help and support out there. Edinburgh Napier University also offers a wide range of resources and services to support students and staff who may be struggling with loneliness and their mental health as a result.

 

How ENU can support students and staff…

 

Loneliness as a feeling and emotion is very complex and subjective. It is fundamental when an individual feels an uncomfortable absence of their desired level of social connection and belonging. All age groups and demographics are at risk – if prolonged or chronic, it also carries an increased risk and susceptibility of developing heart disease, type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease and various other chronic illnesses. This is fundamentally because prolonged periods of loneliness and isolation can significantly elevate cortisol levels and negatively affect your immune system and sleep. Edinburgh Napier University recognises the severe impact that loneliness can have on our student and staff community, particularly on physical health and wellbeing. If you are struggling with loneliness and even your mental health as a result, here are some ways in which we can help:

  • Edinburgh Napier Students Association (ENSA): ENSA is Edinburgh Napier University’s student union. Every student registered and enrolled with us is automatically a member as well. Through ENSA, you can join societies and sports clubs, and get tickets for any upcoming ENSA events. It’s a great way to meet new people and engage with the wider student community, and maybe even build your own! They also offer opportunities for growth and personal development, such as the chance to become a part of the student council, a student representative or even a co-president. Visit the ENSA Homepage for more information.
  • Wellbeing and Inclusion Team: More often than not, experiencing loneliness and feeling isolated is not plain sailing, and deeper internal or external factors may be at play. These can range from financial and health issues to caring responsibilities and many other complex reasons, which you may feel alone in experiencing and feel like you have no one to talk to about. Our university counsellors, as well as our wellbeing and inclusion team, are here to listen and offer a wide variety of support if you are struggling with mental health, personal circumstances or academic pressure. Find out more about available help and support on our Wellbeing Support and Inclusion My Napier webpages.

 

How the library can help…

 

Edinburgh Napier University libraries have a range of resources that can support your wellbeing. Our Wellbeing Collection is curated to offer a vast range of materials and resources covering topics such as depression, anxiety, stress management, finances, neurodiversity, relationships, university life, and more. In our Wellbeing Collection Libguide, loneliness appears as a subcategory under Mental Wellbeing, and it reveals recommended reads, a podcast recommendation, and a website that can be borrowed or accessed institutionally. Whilst social connection and community significantly alleviate loneliness, sometimes reading or listening to someone else’s story, experiences, or perspectives can make you feel less alone, particularly if you are going through similar experiences, circumstances and stages of life. This page of our LibGuide also points students and staff to useful contacts and helplines such as TogetherAll and Breathing Space.

 

Some of the recommended titles we have on loneliness are as follows:

 

  • The cure for loneliness: how to feel connected and escape isolation. Howatt, William A. author. 2021. Available at Craiglockhart Wellbeing Collection.
  • Lonely: learning to live with solitude. White, Emily, 1980- author. First Harper Perennial edition.; 2011. Available at Merchiston Wellbeing Collection.

 

To facilitate group study and encourage collaboration, Edinburgh Napier University campus libraries also offer a mix of social and silent study spaces. We also have bookable study rooms which can accommodate more than one person. These study rooms can be booked through Resource Booker.

 

Combatting loneliness whilst living away from home…

 

As well as A – Z of Societies ran by ENSA, the City of Edinburgh often has a wide range of social clubs and events focused on bringing people together and fostering a sense of community within the city. There are a wide range of book clubs, such as the Edinburgh Book and Pudding Club, Brunswick Book Club, Chapter 25 Book Club and many more that are often hosted by public libraries and independent book retailers. There are also many sports clubs and fitness classes hosted within the city, such as running clubs, yoga classes and walking groups. Social groups such as Go&Glow are wellness and wellbeing clubs that host weekly socials, often featuring a leisurely, creative, or fitness-oriented activity. All of these social groups and community events are fundamentally a great way to meet new people, particularly if you have moved to Edinburgh from another city or place.

 

By Rachel Downie

 

 

Have a look at our wellbeing collection today

 

 

 

 

world blood donor day
14/06/2026 / / 0 Comments

World Blood Donor Day 2026

World Blood Donor Day is held on 14th June each year and aims to highlight the need for safe blood and blood products. These products include red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma and platelets. The theme for World Blood Donor Day 2026 is One Drop of Humanity. Give Blood. Save Lives., reminding us that each donation is an act of support, kindness and compassion for humankind.

14th June is also the birthday of Karl Landsteiner, who won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1930 for discovering the ABO blood group system, which transformed modern medicine. Landsteiner discovered the ABO blood group system in 1901, and it is still crucial for blood transfusions today. The ABO blood group system classifies human blood types based on the presence or absence of two antigens, A and B, on the surface of red blood cells. People can have type A, B, AB (both antigens), or type O (neither antigen), and this decides who they can safely donate blood to or receive blood from.

 

Why give blood?

Blood donations are essential to health systems everywhere. Every donation acts as a lifeline, helping to support patients during emergencies, childbirth, surgeries, cancer treatment and the lifelong care of many other serious conditions. A minimum requirement of 1–2% of the population donating blood is essential to meet national needs – this level has yet to be reached in many countries. Safe blood relies upon people being willing to donate blood voluntarily and regularly, but countries still face shortages and access to safe blood and blood products. Every drop of blood donated can save a life. One unit of blood can save up to 3 lives, having a tremendous impact on the recipients and their families. World Blood Donor Day provides an opportunity to thank the countless unpaid voluntary donors who generously give blood to help save lives every day.

 

Who can give blood?

Most people can donate blood if they are healthy. There are some essential conditions which must be met to become a blood donor. Some simple eligibility guidelines are:

  • You should be aged between 18 and 65.
  • You should weigh at least 50 kg.
  • You must be in good health when you donate.
  • If you have a cold, flu, sore throat, cold sore, stomach bug or any other infection you will not be able to donate blood.
  • You must have a minimum haemoglobin level to donate blood. You will be tested for this when you donate blood.

There are several other eligibility criteria relating to health, travel, behaviours, pregnancy and breastfeeding. You can find more information on the Who can give blood pages of the World Health Organisation website. Eligibility criteria will vary in different countries so check for specific details with national/local blood services.

 

How is World Blood Donor Day celebrated around the world?

World Blood Donor Day is observed by many countries. Blood transfusion services throughout the world mark the day with a wide range of activities including hosting blood donation sessions in hospitals, schools and community centres; running campaigns to inform the public about the importance of safe blood; advertising promotions to recruit more donors and thank-you events for regular donors.

 

How can you support World Blood Donor Day?
  • Discover your blood type and register to donate blood.
  • Become a regular donor and donate blood throughout the year.
  • Inspire others by encouraging your friends and family to become regular blood donors.
  • Volunteer with your local/national blood service and support your community, offer care to donors, and assist with blood donation sessions/drives.
  • Use your social networks to promote World Blood Donor Day to others.

 

World Blood Donor Day is not simply a date – it represents universal recognition of compassion and unity. Every donation gives the gift of life, and every donor counts.

So, whether you’re a first-time donor or a regular lifesaver, 14th June is a day for you. Thank you for giving blood.

If you have never donated blood, please consider donating. Remember – every drop can save a life!

 

Find out more about giving blood:

World Health Organisation

Scotblood

By Sharon McMichael

 

photo by Victoria Druc

John Napier bronze bust at Merchsiton.

History of Napier

12/06/2026 / / 0 Comments

History of Napier

Ever wonder how the name Napier in Edinburgh Napier University? Ever wonder about the old tower on Merchiston Campus? Or the statue placed by the tower? Well, wonder no more.  We are going to look at the History of Napier.

John Napier

John Napier, eighth Laird of Merchiston, was born in Merchiston Tower in Edinburgh in 1550. He died in Merchiston Tower in 1617, the very tower that stands in the centre of Merchiston Campus.

John Napier is most ‘famous for his contributions to the world of Mathematics. His invention of logarithms decoded previously unexplored complexities within mathematics and inspired contemporaries, as well as future generations, to pursue and realise their own academic achievements in many fields of scientific inquiry. His later introduction of a series of calculating devices ensured mathematics was applied to common use and enabled the development of entrepreneurialism’ (Napier.ac.uk/ourHistory)

Today, logarithms are an internal part of Science, Engineering and Computing.

Napier’s dedication to the Protestant Faith is well-documented and it is suggested by some historians that he considered his book Plaine Discovery of the Whole Revelation of St John as his finest work.  It is his interpretation of the Protestant Christian Bible’s Book Revelation.  A time of change in Scotland including the dethronement of Mary, Queen of Scots and the coronation of James VI.

John Napier also had a number of other inventions including Machines of War and Archimedes Screw (one of the earliest hydraulic machines) and Common Salts.

John Napier died in 1617, nearly 350 years later, Edinburgh Napier University began it’s journey.

Edinburgh Napier University

Our foundations go all the way back to the 16th century. But in the last five decades has seen us grow into a globally renowned institution. Opened our doors as Napier Technical College in 1964, welcoming 800 students. To now, home to over 19500 students from over 140 countries. In 1992, Napier is officially inaugurated as a University. Lord James Douglas Hamilton and Principal William Turmeau unveil the new University sign at Merchiston.

In 2024, Edinburgh Napier wins the 2024 Higher Educational Institution of the Year.

At Edinburgh Napier University, we believe in the importance of making a difference. While we’ve risen in rankings and grown in scope over the years, we’ve stayed true to our heritage as an applied technical institution. For our students and researchers, this means that learning and discovery don’t just take place in the lab or the classroom, it happen in the real world.

We’ve come a long way from 1550.

A timetable of Edinburgh Napier University.

Read about our Heritage

 

Butterfly on a flower

Butterfly Education and Awareness Day (BEAD)

07/06/2026 / / 0 Comments

Butterfly Education and Awareness Day (BEAD)

Butterflies. Such beautiful creatures are also fascinating and very important members of the insect kingdom. This is ultimately what inspired a whole day each year being dedicated to learning more about them, the fundamental role they have in our ecosystems, their conservation and ultimately their significance in the world and why they need to be protected. It was also launched to raise awareness of declining butterfly populations and the endangerment of specific butterfly species, and to underscore the need to conserve this insect group.

 

Some fun and interesting facts about butterflies…

 

How much do you know about butterflies? If you would like to learn a bit more about this fascinating member of the insect kingdom, keep reading on for some fun facts about them below.

  • Butterflies can taste through their feet.
  • A butterfly’s lifecycle consists of four different phases: Egg, Larva, Pupa and Adult.
  • There are over 18,000 named species of butterflies.
  • Butterflies are cold-blooded and cannot fly in cold temperatures and climates below ten degrees.
  • Their skeleton is outside of their bodies!
  • The word ‘Butterfly’ emerged from ‘Butter-coloured fly.’
  • Some butterfly species in the UK have gone extinct.

 

Importance of Butterfly Conservation…

 

Various butterfly species have experienced population declines over the past 150 years, mainly due to significant environmental shifts and climate change. Butterfly Education and Awareness Day ultimately emphasises and promotes the significance of their conservation and their intrinsic value worldwide and as part of Life on Earth. Their value goes far beyond the intrinsic. Butterflies have a positive environmental impact within many ecosystems, including natural pest control and pollination.

Usually, a wealth of butterflies within a specific environment is a strong indicator of a healthy ecosystem. They are also widely used by scientists as model organisms to measure and estimate habitat degradation and climate change. They also hold significant economic value in the modern world. People from around the world as fascinated by their beauty, biodiversity and contribution within various ecosystems and travel all over the globe to study them or join eco tours which generate a valuable source of income for many countries throughout the world.

 

How to get involved…

 

  • Read and learn more about butterflies: Which you have already done by reading through this blog post! Nevertheless, there is still much to learn about butterflies with regards to their habitats, life cycle stages and their species as a whole.
  • Go to Butterfly Gardens and Nature Reserves: Pay a visit to one of these gardens or reserves to observe butterflies in their natural habitats and learn more about them first-hand.
  • Get involved with Citizen Science Projects or volunteer with Butterfly Conservation Charities: These organisations and movements contribute significantly to the conservation of butterfly populations by tracking and monitoring butterfly migrations and movement for essential research purposes, preserving and safeguarding their natural habits and also to promote awareness of the importance of butterfly conservation on a global scale.

 

Library Recommendations…

 

If you would like to learn more about butterflies and butterfly conservation, our libraries have a wealth of material on these fascinating insects which you can find in our LibrarySearch catalogue.

 

  • Butterflies, Vane-Wright, R. I. (Richard I.) 2003. Available in Sighthill Campus Library Main Stock.
  • The butterflies of Scotland: A Natural History. Thomson, George, 1943-. C1980. Available in Sighthill Campus Library Main Stock.
  • Butterflies and moths in Britain and Europe. Carter, David. 1982. Available in Sighthill Campus Library Main Stock.

 

By Rachel Downie

 

 Photo by Krzysztof Niewolny unspash

Have a look at more nature posts 

welcome

Welcome to Edinburgh Napier Libraries Trimester 3 2026

03/06/2026 / / 0 Comments

Welcome to Edinburgh Napier Libraries Trimester 3 2026

A warm welcome to any new students joining us here at Edinburgh Napier University this Summer. Here’s a comprehensive guide to our library services to help you get started.

Library Resources

Each of your courses will have a reading list, that you can access through the LibrarySearch (more on that further down). Make sure to log in at the top right corner as a university member. We also offer subject and research guides created by subject librarians to help you with finding information and resources. These guides are available online and cover a wide range of topics relevant to your studies. You can find them in LibGuides. For more personalised help, you can contact your subject librarian or arrange a one-on-one appointment. Details about your subject librarian are available on the library webpages.

LibrarySearch is the library catalogue used to search for a wide range of books, articles, and ebooks. LibrarySearch provides details of all items on the library shelves as well as subscription databases, including ebooks, ejournals, online multimedia and e-conference proceedings.

Library Loans. You can borrow and return books via the Self- Service Kiosks. They are really easy to use, just follow the on-screen instructions. When returning items, you can leave them in the return boxes beside the self-service kiosks after scanning them in. Books are 7-day loans, but they renew automatically for up to 4 months unless requested.  You can borrow up to 30 physical items. If you are looking for something we don’t have, we have an inter-library loan service.

Click and Collect services are available at each campus library. Items can be requested and will be held in our designated Click and Collect areas, where you can pick them up at your convenience. The requested items will be held for seven days. Please remember to check out your books at the self-service kiosk.

Laptops and Printers

Printing, scanning and copying is available using our Multi-Functional Devices (MFDs). MFDs are situated in all three campus libraries. You must ensure you have enough print credit to print.

Laptops to Loan. Laptops are available at each campus library, JKCC and Bainfield, where laptops can be borrowed for up to 14 days. The lapsafes are self-service and can be operated by scanning your student card.

Study Spaces.

We have a variety of study spaces available at each of our campus libraries. There are individual and collaborative study spaces as well as silent study areas.

Group Study Rooms are also available and can be booked up to 14 days in advance. You can check availability and book online via Resource Booker for up to 1 two-hour slot per day.

Our general Opening Hours can be found on our My Napier webpages via the library tab.  Staffed hours in all of our campus libraries are 8:45am-16:45pm Monday to Friday. Our libraries are unstaffed. at weekends, but still free to use from 9am-5pm. During the summer, the Merchiston campus library is having some essential maintenance. Access is as follows:

  • Zone 1, the area near the helpdesk (including Group Study Room 8), will remain open. The Library helpdesk will remain open, with the usual Opening Hours.
     
  • All other library areas will be closed. This means no access to quiet, silent study spaces, print books, journals, and other items on shelves.  

In our spaces, we also have our Wellbeing Collections available at each campus, with a range of books to support both your physical and mental health and well-being. There are also relaxation areas where you can take a break from studying and de-stress for a while by reading, playing games or doing some relaxing activities such as jigsaws and colouring in.

Degree show

Degree Show 2026

01/06/2026 / / 0 Comments

Degree Show 2026

Breaking the Mould: A Celebration of Creativity and Innovation
From May 29 to June 5, we’re excited to invite you to an extraordinary event at our Merchiston campus, showcasing the remarkable talents of our next generation of designers and creatives. This week-long celebration marks the unveiling of our undergraduate and postgraduate students’ final year projects—a testament to their hard work, creativity, and innovative spirit.
In this unique display, witness how these emerging talents are challenging conventions and pushing the boundaries of technical craft. It’s an opportunity to meet students from diverse disciplines, each bringing their own fresh perspectives and ideas. Join us as we shine a spotlight on these talented individuals and explore their worlds. This event promises to be a captivating experience that embodies the essence of breaking the mould in design and creativity. Don’t miss this chance to see where imagination and skill converge!
Find out more at napier.ac.uk
Turtle

World Turtle

23/05/2026 / / 0 Comments

World Turtle Day

World Turtle Day 2026 is celebrated on Saturday, 23rd May this year. It aims to raise awareness of the threats faced by turtles and tortoises and their disappearing habitats around the world as well as encouraging human action to help them survive and thrive.

Researching and protecting the turtle and tortoise populations is essential. By feeding on dead fish that have washed up on the shores, they help to keep our beaches clean and preserve the ecological balance of our oceans. As turtles travel between their coastal feeding grounds and beaches, they transport vital nutrients, helping these ecosystems thrive.

Turtles

Turtles are known as amniotes because they breathe air and lay their eggs on land. They must return to the surface to breathe as they cannot breathe underwater. Of the 300 species of turtles in the world,129 species are endangered. There are seven species of marine turtles: hawksbill, loggerhead, leatherback, olive ridley, green, flatback, and Kemp’s ridley. The largest turtle species is the leatherback, which can reach up to 180cm long and weigh 500kg, competing with crocodiles and Komodo dragons for the title of the largest reptiles in the world. Kemp’s ridley is the smallest marine turtle, measuring about 70cm long and weighing up to 40kg. Six of these seven species are at risk of extinction. This is due to the rise in human activity and increased plastic waste found in our oceans.

As part of one of the oldest reptile groups in the world, dating back to the time of the dinosaurs – over 200 million years ago – turtles are considerably older than snakes, crocodiles and alligators. They are cold-blooded animals, meaning they can live much longer. Tu”i Malila was the longest-living turtle and lived on Tonga Island, passing away at the ripe old age of 128! However, only 1 in 1,000 marine turtle hatchlings reach adulthood due to the time it takes to reach maturity and threats from predators and marine plastic pollution. They often get caught in fishing nets and plastic waste, leading to drowning.

A bony shell, made from cartilage, protects turtles from predators – some can even tuck themselves in their shells for extra protection. Turtle shells consist of 50 different bones which have fused together. They also have light, spongy bones that help them float. Turtle shells are popular as jewellery and collectable items which has threatened their survival since the 18th century.

Climate change presents a major threat to turtle habitats. Approximately half of the world’s coral reefs no longer exist, and scientists believe the remaining reefs could disappear by 2050 if climate change is not effectively managed. The sex of a turtle is dependent on the temperature when it is born – if the egg is warmer than 28 degrees Celsius, it is born female. Higher sand temperatures can produce more females than males, affecting sex ratios. Rises in sea levels can flood nests, and increased storm events can affect hatchling survival.

Turtles use the Earth’s magnetic field to navigate their way around the oceans. Using their built-in navigation system, they can cross thousands of miles of ocean and still remember their way back to the beach where they laid their eggs. Turtles return to the beach where they hatched to nest their own young. This increases their chance of survival when moving around the ocean. Female leatherback turtles make some curious noises when they are nesting – some of which sound like a human belch!

Turtles travel extensively within the oceans in large groups and are highly sociable creatures. A female leatherback holds the longest known record for swimming nearly 13,000 miles over 647 days from Indonesia to the west coast of America – that’s more than 20 miles a day! Turtles are highly sought after, with a huge illegal trade in their meat, eggs, and shells, and are kept as exotic pets. They are also used for traditional medicines. These, along with climate change, fishing nets, and plastic waste, are the most significant threats to turtles today.

 

Celebrating World Turtle Day

World Turtle Day is celebrated worldwide in various ways. A variety of events and activities are organised to help preserve turtles. People often rescue turtles from roads and highways and return them to their natural habitats.

There are many fun and easy ways to celebrate World Turtle Day. Dress up as a turtle, wear something green, do a sponsored walk or host a bake sale to raise money for a charity that helps turtles.

Use World Turtle Day to learn more about turtles and share what you learn with others to raise awareness and knowledge of the species.

Learn how turtles are threatened by the exotic pet trade and how this impacts their survival.

Join a conservation organisation which campaigns to protect turtles and their habitats.

 

Find out more about turtles in this video from Box of Broadcasts.

A Slow Odyssey: A Turle’s Journey

Experience an immersive journey into the world of turtles. Ride with a green sea turtle as it swims in the beautiful waters of its coral reef home in Sipidan, Malaysia.

By Sharon McMichael

Photo by David Courbit Unsplash 

World Goth Day

World Goth Day

22/05/2026 / / 0 Comments

World Goth Day 

May 22nd is World Goth Day – a chance to celebrate all things gothic from music and film to fashion. It all began in 2009 when BBC Radio 6 Music ran a series which spotlighted different subcultures. Goth music was featured on 22nd May, and the event has taken place on that date each year since. There will be events locally, such as Midnight Solar Market, and more worldwide. 

In the beginning.. 

Musically, the goth subculture started out as a movement celebrating a style of music that followed punk, new wave, and the new romantic movements of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Some bands, such as Siouxsie and the Banshees, tweaked their sound and style to appeal to a new audience, and along with emerging bands such as Bauhaus, soundtracked the new subculture. Clubs began opening, playing the music of the new genre, and fashion fans began refining their look with their own style of make-up, hair, and clothes. Goth subculture also embraces literature, film and art. 

Fashion 

Many subcultures have their own fashion style, and the goth movement is no exception. Influenced by the Victorian cult of mourning, it combines black clothing with the odd flash of purple or red, black dyed hair, black eyeliner, nail varnish and lipstick. The clothing fabrics used are often lace, velvet, fishnet, and leather, with long dresses, corsets, frock coats, and top hats. 

Film and tv 

There’s a wealth of goth films and tv series which explore the themes of love, loss, and the supernatural that define the genre. They are typically set in strange, eerie locations with an air of mystery such as a gothic mansion or in areas like Transylvania. If you dare, here are some recommendations to view to get a feel for the subculture: 

Dracula (1931) 

Beetlejuice (1988) 

The Crow (1994) 

Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992) 

Sleepy Hollow (1999) 

Pan’s Labyrinth (2006) 

The Addams Family (1964-1966) 

 

Literature 

Gothic literature has been around a bit longer than the music and subculture we are used to today. Its origins are in the late 18th century and there are key elements: 

Typical settings are castles, mansions, ruins, isolated landscapes. 

Suspenseful atmosphere: Decay, darkness, mystery, family secrets and curses. 

Characters: Female in danger or distress, repressive male, doppelganger. 

Supernatural elements: Ghosts, vampires, strange events, shadows. 

Psychological terror: Nightmares, madness.  

Here is a list of novels which set the gothic mood:  

  • Frankenstein (1818) – Mary Shelley: The classic tale of scientific, existential horror. 
  • The Vampyre (1819) – John Polidori: The story that created the modern, aristocratic vampire trope. 
  • Wuthering Heights (1847) – Emily Brontë: Intense, brooding romance set on the Yorkshire moors. 
  • Jane Eyre (1847) – Charlotte Brontë: Features a young governess, a brooding master, and a dark secret. 
  • Dracula (1897) – Bram Stoker 
  • Rebecca (1938) – Daphne du Maurier: A young bride is haunted by the lingering presence of her husband’s first wife. 
  • The Woman in Black (1983) – Susan Hill: A young lawyer travels to a remote village and discovers a vengeful ghost is terrorizing the locals. 

 

 

Whitby 

This town in the north of England has become a destination of choice for goths. With a strong connection to Bram Stoker’s Dracula (he set the opening of the novel there after visiting in 1890), along with ruined architecture dominating the skyline, eerie fog rolling in off the sea and local legends of ghosts and witchcraft it meant that it became the perfect place to visit and celebrate their culture. It has also become the setting for the Whitby Goth Weekend. Held twice a year it attracts thousands of gothic individuals from across the globe.

This 3 day long alternative festival celebrates the goth subculture through a series of displays, stalls, and live music events. Additionally, Whitby jet, an organic gemstone formed from fossilized wood, is found in the area and during the Victorian era was fashioned into mourning jewellery. Due to its black colour and the association with mourning it became a natural choice of gemstone for goths and there are several shops in Whitby selling the gemstone jewellery. 

The Sophie Lancaster Foundation 

On 11th August 2007 Sophie Lancaster was attacked by a group of boys simply because, as a goth, she looked and dressed differently. Her boyfriend was also attacked and survived, but 13 days after the attack Sophie died. Sophie had often been subjected to abuse due to the way she looked and dressed. Her mother, Sylvia, made it her mission to promote tolerance and acceptance of others from different subcultures. In 2008 the Sophie Lancaster Foundation (SLF) got up and running with the aim of educating, celebrating and stimulating conversations about accepting alternative people in communities. 

The Foundation also campaigned to extend UK Hate Crime legislation to include people from alternative subcultures. In 2013 Greater Manchester Police (GMP) become the first police authority to record and monitor hate crimes and incidents against people from alternative subcultures. 
GMP stated: ‘Crimes against people from alternative subcultures will be recorded as a crime by GMP in the same capacity as disability, racist, religious, sexual orientation and transgender Hate Crime to provide better support to victims and repeat victims.’ 

Today, the charity works with anyone aged 7 and above, delivering workshops and presentations, raising awareness of alternative subcultures, and preventing judgment of others based on their appearance. 

Sophie’s killers were brought to justice and received lengthy custodial sentences. At present one of Sophie’s killers is due for release, but SLF feels that rather than comment on the decision they would prefer to honour Sophie’s memory by carrying on with their work to Stamp Out Prejudice, Hatred and Intolerance Everywhere (SOPHIE) and to remember all victims of hate crime. 

Sophie’s story has been turned into a stage play which in turn was made into a BBC drama which can be viewed using the Box of Broadcasts database available using Library Search 

 

 

How to celebrate World Goth Day 

Attend a local event such as an art or fashion show or a music event. 

Host your own goth party with relevant music, clothes and decorations. 

Read a classic Gothic novel. 

Watch a movie featuring goth characters. 

Listen to some goth music. 

Make a donation to the Sophie Lancaster Foundation which campaigns against image-based prejudice. 

Check out all the gothic material available to Edinburgh Napier staff and students using Library Search 

 

By Vivienne Hamilton

Photo by Alexander Grey Unsplash 

 

 

 

 

 

Craiglockhart campus

21 Years of Craiglockhart campus library

20/05/2026 / / 0 Comments

21 Years of Craiglockhart campus library

Merchiston library is partially closed over the summer. We’ve went in our archives to dig out a post regarding last time one of our campus libraries had a refurb.

In the summer of 2004 the refurbished Craiglockhart campus was getting ready to re-open. It had acquired a modern extension to cope with increased student numbers. So the library was now housed in the lower floor below the foyer. Controversially, the main library area lacked a ceiling. Whilst the works were taking place the book stock and library staff were accommodated at Sighthill campus.  Which would later get its own refurbishment.

Back then, at Sighthill, the staff offices and library were quite old-fashioned looking, with lots of dark wood. The library desk was not near the book stock; in fact, it wasn’t even on the same floor. Without a lift capable of taking trollies between floors, books had to be loaded into a dumbwaiter-style lift, sent up to the correct floor, then unloaded from the lift onto another trolley. Packing the books for the move back to Craiglockhart was a massive task. Books were packed in crates in Dewey Decimal order, and journals were alphabetised by title, then by date. Crates were then labelled and transported to Craiglockhart.

Craiglockhart campus library

The new Craiglockhart library was very different. There was light coloured metal shelving and large windows making the area seem much brighter. Book and journal stock was held on the same floor as the library desk making returning items to the correct place much easier. Once the stock had been transported back from Sighthill it had to be unpacked and put onto the shelves in the correct order which required a lot of concentration! The crates served as seating for library staff at breaks and lunchtime, as the library furniture had not yet arrived.

At the time, there were two rows of main book stock, which, due to the increase in e-book usage and no longer teaching languages, have now been reduced to one. Almost all journals stocked were in print format and these were stored in large rolling stacks situated where the collaborative desks are now. It would be a few years before self-service kiosks for issuing and returning books came to the library and even longer until a Click and Collect shelf for requests. Until then if you requested a book and wanted to collect it you had to wait to be served at the library helpdesk.

A few years after returning to Craiglockhart the size of the staff office was reduced to create the quiet room. Low-level talking and discussion are allowed here, but it tends to be more of a silent study room.

As time passed and print journal subscriptions moved to electronic ones the rolling stacks became obsolete and collaborative desks were fitted in this space. Over the years computers have been upgraded regularly and Macs were added. The lapsafe provides access to laptops which can be borrowed.

With increased space due to reduced print stock it was possible to create the relaxation space. This is a space to take time out from studies. Books, colouring sheets, games and origami paper are provided.

At the time Craiglockhart library re-opened no-one could have guessed how many changes there would be over the years. Let’s see what the next 21 years bring!

 

Read more about the changes of Craiglockhart over the years

By Vivienne Hamilton

Museum of Scotland

International Museum Day

18/05/2026 / / 0 Comments

International Museum Day

The 18th of May marks International Museum Day, an event organised by the International Council of Museums to celebrate local museums and raise public awareness of the role museums play in society. Observed since 1977, International Museum Day is celebrated in hundreds of countries and tens of thousands of museums worldwide. These celebrations are usually formed around a theme that allows museums to coordinate their message to the public and provide a topic for discussion and events. Past themes have examined the role museums play in the lives of young people, their connections to environmental struggles, and how museum objects can be used to preserve memories of the past.
This year’s theme is Museums Uniting a Divided World, focusing on how museums can foster dialogue and understanding between communities and cultures through the shared exchange of objects and information.

Edinburgh Museums

So in the spirit of the day, we’d like to talk a little about the local museums here in Edinburgh, as well as tell you about the historical collections we have on display at Napier.
One of the great things about Edinburgh is the abundance of museums dedicated to preserving the art, culture, and lived experience of others, whether from other cultures or from those who came before us.
A wonderful example of just such a museum can be found on the Royal Mile: The People’s Story Museum, dedicated to recording the everyday lives of working-class people in Edinburgh from the late 18th century to today. At the museum, you can step into galleries depicting life in 18th-century tenement houses, letting you see how the people of Edinburgh would have lived over two hundred years ago.

Edinburgh is also home to Europe’s only Palestinian museum, located not far from Princes Street. The museum is dedicated to chronicling the art and culture of the Palestinian people and how they have persevered through generations of hardship. The founder of the museum, Faisal Saleh, says that the goal of the project is to demonstrate that Palestinians are “human, creative, and resilient”.
There is also the Museum of Childhood, which preserves the history and interests of local children going back hundreds of years, with the oldest item on display being a doll of Queen Anne that dates to the mid-18th century! This little museum can be a great way to understand the youthful hobbies and toys from past generations and how the role of children in society has changed over the centuries.

Little Museum at Craiglockhart

If you’re interested in something a little bit closer to campus, you can have a look at some of our university’s Heritage Collections, perhaps the most famous of which is the War Poets Collection housed at our Craiglockhart campus.
Our Craiglockhart campus has a long and storied history before it became part of the university, with the building originally constructed in the Victorian era as a Hydropathic – a building dedicated to providing water therapy to those suffering from sickness and other ailments. When the First World War began in 1914, Craiglockhart was converted into a military psychiatric hospital where it treated military officers believed to be suffering from Shellshock.

Two officers who recovered at Craiglockhart were Siegfried Sassoon and Wilfred Owen, both poets who were inspired by their experiences in the First World War to create art as a way of processing what they had been through. Their time at Craiglockhart was important in the development of both men’s work. Especially Owen, who was still an aspiring poet at the time and who used his time at Craiglockhart to surround himself with other artists who were staying at the hospital, as well as becoming involved in The Hydra, a magazine run by patients at the hospital in order for them to remain active and productive during their recovery.

War Poets

Today, our War Poets Collection holds hundreds of items related to the men who recovered at Craiglockhart. These include first editions of Sassoon’s and Owen’s writings, along with collections of letters written by patients, and photographs and other items from throughout the history of Craiglockhart.
You can find these items on permanent display in our War Poets exhibition on the ground floor of Craiglockhart, and they provide a great insight into the inner lives of men struggling with the trauma of the First World War, and lets us better understand the experiences of those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder in a time before that was understood.
The next time you’re at Craiglockhart, why don’t you take the opportunity to have a quick look at the collection and learn some more about the history of one of our campuses

By Matthew Ferrie

Read about Merchiston Tower, 500 years standing proud at Merchiston Campus

Photo by Serenay Bay Unsplash

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