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.

Month: August 2026

Bookshop

Bookshops of Edinburgh

24/08/2026 / / 0 Comments

Bookshops of Edinburgh

If librarians aren’t spending their spare time visiting other libraries, you will probably find them in bookshops. Edinburgh is home to some of the finest bookshops in the world, and we love to share them.

Edinburgh has always been a city that seems made for readers: its winding closes, historic streets and atmospheric cafés. It has captured the imagination of writers over the years. And with this, Edinburgh is home to beautiful independent bookshops that capture the creativity. So whether you are seeking first editions, a story to get lost in, or a gift for someone special, there is a bookshop for you.

Argonaut Books

Argonaut Books, situated on Leith Walk, has established itself as a community-focused independent bookshop. It offers a rich, diverse selection of books for everyone, as well as community events such as workshops and book launches. A true gem to have in your life.

Armchair Books:

At 72–74 West Port, Armchair Books is a wonderful starting point for anyone who loves the atmosphere of a traditional second-hand bookshop. Self-described as “alphabetised chaos” so please be aware when you go in, you will be there for hours marvelling at its magic.

Golden Hare Books

Now heading over to Stockbridge. An award-winning independent bookshop that handpicks books for the ever-changing landscape of fiction and non-fiction. The shop also runs author events, workshops and a reading group, making it a genuine part of Stockbridge

Edinburgh Books

Now in Bruntsfield we have Edinburgh Books, another award-winning bookshop. There is an expansive collection of fiction as well as children’s books; they also hold story time twice a week for under 5 which is much loved. As well as other action-packed events that must be visited.

Lighthouse – Edinburgh’s Radical Bookshop

One of Edinburgh’s most distinctive and beloved bookshops, situated on West Nicholson Street. Supporting small presses and new writers, with a wide selection of books for politically and socially engaged reading. Good destination if you are interested in politics, LGBTQ+, social justice and feminism.

McNaughtan’s Bookshop

For something a little more specialist, head towards Haddington Place and McNaughtan’s Bookshop.

A long history of specialising in second-hand books that appeals to any book collector who has a particular interest in older editions.

This is less about quickly picking up a paperback and more about discovering something with a story

Rare Birds Book Shop

Visiting Stockbridge for the second time, this time to the Rare Birds Book Shop. The shop proudly and exclusively features books written by female authors, celebrating diverse voices across fiction, non-fiction, and captivating contemporary prose. Beyond its inspiring book walls, you will discover a warm, welcoming community hub complete with unique literary gifts, stationery,

Typewronger Books

Another distinctive personality to Edinburgh’s independent bookshop scene.

Located on Bruntsfield Place, it’s a small independent shop with a strong sense of community and an eclectic literary character. It’s the sort of place that rewards curiosity, with books and independent publishing sitting alongside the shop’s distinctive typewriter-inspired identity.

Independent Bookshops

One of the best things about Edinburgh’s independent bookshops is that they aren’t all the same, and these shops all give the city character. Which is magical for a city with rich literary history.  So go and visit one of these beautiful bookshops and remember, there are many other ones too. Independent bookshops provide spaces where booksellers can recommend something personal, readers can discover authors they might otherwise miss, and communities can come together around literature.

Photo by Nathalie Stimpfl, Unsplash 

Got the reading bug? We have some staff recommendations. 

photo of people outside during The Edinburgh Fringe

The Edinburgh Fringe

17/08/2026 / / 0 Comments

The Edinburgh Fringe

Everything you should know about The Edinburgh Fringe

It’s August again, the sunshine is going away, and we’re hard at work getting the library ready for all the students coming back in September, so what better way to unwind than catching a show at the Edinburgh Fringe?

Taking over the city for its 78th year, the Fringe is a fantastic way to take in a good dose of culture. As Edinburgh’s various streets, pubs, and clubs are playing host to a range of off-beat and out-there live acts featuring performers from around the world. You can catch an exhibition on Scotland’s relationship with rain being hosted at the National Library of Scotland, Then head on over to St Giles’ Cathedral to listen to some music. Then in the evening, you can go to Monkey Barrel Comedy Club and enjoy some stand-up comedy performed by some of your favourite comedians from the television along with local talent looking to breakthrough.
The beautiful thing about the Edinburgh Fringe is you really never know what you’re going to get.

The History of the Fringe

Starting back in 1947 and running every year since then (with the exception of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic) the Fringe is an off-shoot of the Edinburgh International Festival that is held in the city every year. The Fringe stands out when compared to other art festivals due to its status as an open-access festival, meaning anybody can apply to participate and perform anything they want!
This means that every August Edinburgh gets to play host to a wide variety of strange and unexpected shows, and over the years the Edinburgh Fringe has built up a reputation as the go-to-place for aspiring performers to build an audience and hone their craft, with many international celebrities performing at the Fringe early on in their careers. For example, did you know that award-winning Irish actor and Peaky Blinders star Cillian Murphy performed the Fringe back in 1997 as part of his first professional acting job, touring with the play Disco Pigs? Or that the critically acclaimed shows Baby Reindeer and Fleabag began life as a play performed at the Fringe? As did the comedy gameshow Taskmaster which ran at the Fringe for two years before being commissioned for television.
So who knows! Maybe at the Fringe you’ll catch a star in the making, or the next modern classic.

Some recommendations…Library themed, of course!

But why don’t we save you the trouble of trying to sort through the Fringe programme for yourself and recommend you a show that we’ve thoroughly enjoyed. And since this is the library blog after all, it’s of course going to be a library themed show.
Returning to the Fringe for the third year in a row, comedy theatre group Cabbage Productions are performing their show The Librarians: A Very Serious Comedy, a satirical look at libraries in the modern day. The show follows the staff at a local library struggling to deal with a lack of customers, the building falling apart around their ears, and a new head librarian who wants the building sold-off to make expensive flats! Needless to say, we here at the library find all this a lot more relatable than we’d like – especially the show’s emphasis on the importance of which biscuits are available in the library office. We’re not sure if anybody involved in the production has a history of library work, but they’ve certainly managed to nail the tone in our opinion. But it’s not all jokes with The Librarians. Although the show never fails to keep a light comedic tone, at its heart it is very much a story about the important role that these types of community spaces play in society, and how the abandonment of these public run institutions has left a hole in our local communities.

Running every day of the Fringe from 3:15 to 4:15 at the Pleasance Courtyard, The Librarians is a show that manages to balance sharp comedic writing with a heartfelt message and we here at Napier Library can wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who’d like a behind the scenes look at what modern library work is like, with plenty of laughs along the way.

Library resources

We have lots of resources on the Edinburgh Fringe and wider festival.  From books likeThe Edinburgh Fringe by Alistair Moffat and The Fringe Survival Guide by Mark Fisher to this fantastic article called : A hefty dose of lemons: the importance of rituals for audiences and performers at the online Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2020 by Ingi Helgason et al. Check out Librarysearch for so much more.

Read more about different festivals here on our blog. Check out: The Cherry Festival 

By Matthew Ferrie

Edinburgh International Book Festival 2026

Edinburgh International Book Festival 2026

14/08/2026 / / 0 Comments

Edinburgh International Book Festival 2026

Saturday 15th – Sunday 30th August 2026.

The Book Festival

The Edinburgh International Book Festival began as a biennial event in 1983 and became an annual event in 1997, and has now been running for over forty years. As one of the largest public celebrations of reading and the written word, there is always something for everyone.

The Edinburgh International Book Festival is a charity which depends on gifts and donations from willing donors to achieve its goal of promoting reading and writing and encouraging an understanding of the wider world, bringing empathy, escapism, entertainment and joy to the masses no matter where they come from, their age, financial status or individual tastes.

Funding is not only required to support the Book Festival itself but also a wide variety of events within schools, hospitals, prisons, libraries and community centres all year round. The funding helps to secure these projects for now and for the future.

Where to find it and what to expect

Every year in August the Edinburgh International Book Festival takes place alongside the city’s Fringe Festival. This year the Book Festival runs from Saturday 15th – Sunday 30th August 2026.

The Book Festival is based at Edinburgh Futures Institute, close to Edinburgh’s Old Town, in what was formerly the Royal Infirmary Hospital building. The old and new architecture really captures the atmosphere of the Book Festival with something to suit everyone’s tastes and loads of cosy corners for reading. The main entrance to the building is just off Middle Meadow Walk at the junction with Porter’s Walk.

The Festival site is open daily from 09:30 – 23:00 and is free to enter. You can enjoy a selection of food and drinks and relax at the indoor café and Courtyard pop-ups. There are some green spaces nearby and cosy indoor nooks available for shelter just in case of inclement weather (it is Scotland after all!).

The famous Festival Bookshop, run by Waterstones, is in a spacious tent in the Courtyard. The bookshop is filled with titles from the authors in the events programme and lots more. The Bookshop also provides space for book signings by authors after their events. There are also other signing locations outside some of the venues hosting author events.

Events and Writers

The Edinburgh International Book Festival is a unique event showcasing both new and well-known writers and celebrates all things literary, bringing together Scottish, British and international writers to inspire each other and the wider public with a series of wide-ranging events. Generating discussions and making them available to everyone is the focus of the Book Festival.

With 600 events taking place over the 16 days, you can explore the events listings to find out what is happening each day and to see ticket prices. Events take place at venues throughout the city with something to suit every age group and every genre. Tens of thousands of people come together every year to celebrate books, and the impact reading can have. The Book Festival is a place where stories come alive, people’s views can be heard, and new perspectives are discovered. It can inspire conversations and debates, helping us to understand the world around us and opening our minds to other cultures and new perspectives.

Discussion, performance and interactive events are now popular elements of the Festival, as well as the more traditional author talks, strengthening the Book Festival’s prominence as a dynamic conference which encourages people to ask questions and exchange views with writers and experts on various subjects, whether social, ethical or political, all the while remaining literary and cultural.

The format of events can vary from a typical interview with an author, Q&A session and book signing or a debate hosted by a chairperson where the audience are also invited to ask questions. More unusual events may involve enjoying food and drinks or a ramble through the city’s Old Town searching for favourite characters such as the Gruffalo. Events for children can vary in activity levels – some will be more energetic with singing and dancing; some will involve play time while others offer a chance to unwind with some quiet time listening to a storyteller. There is a packed programme of events this year with something to suit everyone – all ages and all genres. Colm Tóibín, Meera Syal, Ann Patchett, Matt Haig, Lorraine Kelly, Prue Leith, Alan Davies, Jacqueline Wilson and Liz Pichon are just a few of the famous faces who can be seen at this year’s Book Festival.

Don’t worry if you can’t make it in-person to your favourite events. Most of the events in larger venues are livestreamed and are available to watch both in-person and online, so you don’t need to miss anything! A variety of cameras are used to film live footage of both the stage and the audience so you can see the whole event online if you are unable to attend in-person.

So, explore the programme, find an event that interests you and get involved. You never know, you may even be lucky enough to see one of your favourite authors meandering around the Book Festival!

 

By Sharon McMichael

 

Why not read our article on world book day?

 

Reading lists

Reading Lists: Best Practice Tips for Academic Staff

12/08/2026 / / 0 Comments

Reading Lists: Best Practice Tips for Academic Staff

As the start of a new academic year approaches, we wanted to share some advice from the library for creating or updating reading lists! To support this, library staff will be running training sessions on the Leganto reading list platform in late August 2026. Dates, times, and booking information for these sessions are available in Libcal.

Effective reading lists are more than a collection of resources, as they can:

  • Help students manage their workload.
  • Provide a structured route through relevant literature.
  • Support student engagement with key concepts explored throughout a module.

Whether you are creating a brand-new list or reviewing an existing one, these simple tips will help you make the most of your reading lists.

Set Manageable Expectations

It can be tempting to include every potentially relevant resource that you’ve found, but a focused reading list will often provide a clearer and more manageable learning experience for students. As a rough guide, limiting a list to a maximum of 100 items will greatly improve its usability, particularly for users of accessibility tools such as screen readers.

Instead of providing an exhaustive list of resources, consider directing students to Library Search to start their own research. In this way, keeping your list to a realistic length will encourage readers to carry out their own searches and find further material.

Structure Resources around Learning

Even if it is a more manageable length, an unstructured list can initially be overwhelming. Our reading lists can be structured using sections and tags to help you arrange and prioritise the resources in your list.

Organising resources into sections – which can be based on weeks, units, or topics – will allow students to navigate easily to relevant resources as they work through the module content. Within these sections, using tags to mark resources as ‘Essential’ or ‘Recommended’ will make your list more user-friendly, by helping students to identify the key resources at each stage of their learning.

Think beyond Books

One of the most common misconceptions about Reading Lists is that they are only for books. In fact, our Reading Lists can contain more than fifty different resource types, including journal articles, videos, maps, transcripts, or podcasts.

Including a variety of formats – such as links to Box of Broadcasts, sound recordings, or YouTube videos – not only makes your reading list more engaging, but can also help to make the list more accessible.

Review and Refresh

It is good practice to review your list yearly to check on any updated editions, add emerging research, and review the list’s structure and tags. As academic publishing can change quickly, access to the most up-to-date resources and perspectives is important for students.

The reading list tool embedded in your module will roll over when Moodle refreshes*, so you can continue to work with the previous year’s list. Conducting an annual review of any reading lists linked to your ongoing modules will ensure they remain relevant, accurate, and aligned with your learning outcomes.

* Please note, one exception to this automatic roll over is cross-listed modules (those with an XL code). For these, please contact your subject librarian to assist with the rollover of your reading list.

Work with the Library

Remember, the library is available to you at every stage of the reading list process. Library staff can:

  • Check and update links to ensure resources are accessible.
  • Purchase recommended materials where appropriate. You can add resources not currently available via the library to your list, and we will investigate whether purchase is possible.
  • Advise on alternative options when electronic formats are unavailable or we cannot supply sufficient licences for access.
  • Where possible, support digitisation requests through the Digital Extracts Service to make a book chapter or journal article available online through the Copyright Licensing Agency (CLA).

To ensure that library staff have time to investigate purchase or alternative access options if needed, please submit any reading lists for review four weeks before the start of trimester.

Not just for Teaching

Lastly, you can also use reading lists to organise resources outside of teaching for your modules. All staff and students have access to the reading lists platform, called Leganto. You can use this platform to create a journal club, set up a tutor reading group or even just to organise your own personal list of resources – and you don’t have to worry about this list being too long!

For example, get inspired by this list of suggested Summer Reading from the library, or take a moment to explore our Wellbeing Collection list.

Find Out More

For even more information on reading lists, please go to our Reading Lists LibGuide, which provides instructions and guidance for every step of the process. Or, as mentioned at the start of this post, you can attend one our upcoming workshops found on Libcal.

Finally, if you need any further support or have any questions about this topic, remember the library is here to help!

By Anna Langdon

Books

Book Lovers Day

09/08/2026 / / 0 Comments

Book Lovers Day

 

Calling all book lovers! Today is National Book Lovers Day – the perfect opportunity to embrace your love of literature and immerse yourself in a good book. This could be a new book you purchased or borrowed from the library recently, an old favourite which you have read many times, or even a book recommended by a family member or friend that you have not started reading yet that you have been keen to start for a while. The possibilities are endless! National Book Lovers Day also encourages and promotes all forms of reading, whether it is a hardback, paperback, e-book, or audiobook.

 

History of Book Lovers Day…

 

National Book Lovers Day is recognised as an unofficial holiday, so much about its origins, such as its official creator or founder and when it began, is unknown. It primarily emerged among local communities that enjoyed reading and wanted to widely promote this love of books and literature across other communities and regions. This national day is now widely recognised and celebrated across the globe.

 

Health Benefits of Books…

 

The annual ‘State of the Nation’ study conducted by The Reading Agency found that just over 50% of UK adults would describe themselves as regular readers, with the most notable rise being among demographic groups in their 20s and 30s. This is not only good news for bookshops, booksellers and libraries – it can also improve the well-being of individuals and communities on a national level as studies have shown that making reading a regular activity is linked to cognitive benefits such as lower stress levels, a more enhanced vocabulary, higher empathy and improved focus and concentration.

Since stress is one of the biggest killers regarding how it increases your risk of a heart attack, high blood pressure and stroke, this means that reading regularly can not only have cognitive benefits but also physical health benefits as well. Reading is also very good for your mental health. According to statistics compiled in a report written in 2025 by The Reading Agency, more than half of individuals who read regularly were more likely to express that they were generally happy and in good spirits. Just over half of the participants who read regularly also reported better sleep and greater ease in relaxing and ‘switch off’. Participants in this study who read regularly were also 32% less likely to report feeling depressed or anxious.

 

How our Libraries can help…

 

Did you know that, in addition to academic textbooks, journals, and articles, we also have fiction books in our library stock? If you are a student or staff member, or have an external or SCONUL Access membership with us, and need a break from academic texts, we have a variety of fiction that covers various themes and genres, all of which can be found in our LibrarySearch catalogue. They can also be accessed and requested through LibrarySearch as well if you have the required borrowing and access privileges.

When requesting a book from us, you can select your preferred campus to pick it up from – we will then send the requested item to your chosen campus library for pickup. We also have a wide range of seating areas and relaxation spaces in all three of our campus library which you can use whilst reading any of our or your own books. Our libraries are devoted to providing quiet, accessible spaces for patrons, and if you need a peaceful place to read, you have come to the right place!

 

Much of our fictional texts can be found in our Wellbeing Collection. This collection has been specially curated with books and resources that cover a variety of themes and topics, including relationships, mental health, neurodiversity, digital well-being, and university life. Texts can be either fiction or non-fiction as well.

By Rachel Downie

 

world cat day

World Cat Day

08/08/2026 / / 0 Comments

World Cat Day

 

Gather round all cat lovers and feline enthusiasts! Today is World Cat Day, which takes place on the 8th of August every year. This year, World Cat Day falls on a Saturday (shall we call it Cat-tur-day?) and was established by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), one of the largest animal welfare charities globally. Their fundamental objectives when launching this international day were to promote cat welfare, responsible ownership, and the protection of felines, as well as to celebrate their species overall. This very much remains their primary focus to this day. A large number of cat shelters also organise and run special adoption events or alternatively campaigns to raise awareness of cat protection and care on the 8th of August every year.

 

Some fun facts about felines…

 

  • There are approximately 600 million cats worldwide. This includes pets, feral cats and strays.
  • Having a cat neutered and spayed helps reduce the number of homeless cats and improves their overall health.
  • The longest living cat lived until the age of 38! Born on the 3rd of August 1967, Creme Puff exceeded the average lifespan of an indoor domesticated cat (12-18 years) before eventually passing away in the year 2005.
  • Following on from the previous fact, Creme Puff’s owner, Jake Perry, also owned a cat called Rex who exceeded the average feline lifespan, living to the age of 34! Rex held the record for the longest living cat prior to Creme Puff.
  • We share the same emotional regions of the brain as cats, so, cognitively, humans may be more like cats than we think!
  • The average cat has 18 toes, distributed between its front and hind paws. However, most cats have a condition called polydactylism, which causes them to be born with extra toes.
  • Cats, on average, sleep for a maximum of 15 hours a day, which takes up an estimated 70% of their lifespan in total!
  • In Ancient Egypt, cat owners would shave their eyebrows off as a ritual of mourning when their cat passed away. Cats, like humans, were also mummified after death and buried in tombs with their owners.

 

How you can support the cause…

 

There are many ways in which you can make a positive difference for our feline friends, whether it is from home, digitally or out in the local community.

 

  • Spreading the Word: Probably one of the easiest ways to support the cause – you can share any posts, pictures, stories or factual information on your social media channels to promote awareness regarding cat protection, care and advocacy.
  • Donate or Raise Money: You can make a one-off or regular donation to cat shelters and charity organisations, or provide any used items you are clearing out, such as towels or blankets. If time and resources allow, you can even organise a fundraising event or activity within your local community.
  • Treat your Feline Friend: Give your own cat some spoiling this International Cat Day! Treat them to a grooming session, a new toy or even some cuddles on your lap.
  • Volunteering: If you have a bit of spare time and perhaps want to send some of that around cats, you can volunteer to help out at a local cat shelter or rescue group, which could involve tasks such as bathing, feeding and socialising the cats there.

By Rachel Downie

 

Photo by Raoul Droog Unsplash

 

Have more of an animal read

Image of crops for blog post Lughnasa Celtic Harvest Festival

Lughnasa Celtic Harvest Festival

01/08/2026 / / 0 Comments

Lughnasa Celtic Harvest Festival

Lughnasa is one of four traditional Celtic harvest festivals alongside Samhain, Imbolc and Beltane.  It happens at the end of summer when the grains are ripening but have not yet been harvested. Traditionally celebrated on the 1st of August, it marks the end of summer and the beginning of the second half of the Celtic year. It falls roughly halfway between the summer solstice and the autumn equinox, making it a turning point between the warmth of summer and the approach of the darker months. Occurring halfway between the summer solstice and the autumn equinox.

Like many ancient festivals, Lughnasa was closely connected to the rhythms of nature, agriculture and community. It was a time to celebrate the earth’s generosity, gather together, share food, tell stories, and take part in games and competitions.

A History of Lughnasa

According to Irish mythology, Tailtiu was a daughter of the Fir Bolg king Mag Mor and became associated with the land and fertility. One version of the story tells that she took on the enormous task of clearing the plain of Brega (or the land around Tailtin/Teltown in County Meath) so that it could be used for farming. The work was so demanding that she became exhausted and died. The story comes from the medieval Irish text Metrical Dindshenchas, a collection of poems explaining the origins of Irish place names and traditions.

Before her death, she asked that the people of Ireland continue to gather each year in her honour. Lugh is said to have established the Óenach Tailteann (the Tailteann Games) as a memorial festival for her, which became connected with Lughnasa celebrations.

The story is symbolic as well as literal: Tailtiu’s sacrifice represents the effort required to transform wild land into fertile farmland, while Lughnasa celebrates the reward of that labour, the ripening harvest. It is a recurring theme in Celtic mythology that fertility and abundance often come through sacrifice and renewal.

The Tailteann Games were not only about physical competition but also about celebrating creativity, skill and community spirit. The games included events such as long jump, high jump, running, hurling, spear-throwing, boxing, wrestling, swimming, chariot racing and horse racing. There were also competitions in singing, dancing, storytelling, strategy and traditional crafts, including goldsmithing, jewellery-making, weaving and armour-making.

These gatherings were more than simple entertainment, bringing together different communities, encouraging trade and celebrating the talents of the people.

Lughnasa Today

Although the ancient rituals have changed over time, Lughnasa continues to be celebrated in Ireland and other parts of the Celtic world today. Modern celebrations often include traditional music, dancing, storytelling, crafts, food and gatherings that honour the connection between people and the land.

One of the most famous surviving traditions is Reek Sunday, which takes place at the end of July. On this day, thousands of people climb Croagh Patrick, a mountain also known as “the Reek”. This pilgrimage has connections to both Christian and older Celtic traditions, with people continuing the ancient practice of climbing sacred hills and mountains as part of seasonal celebrations.

The Four Celtic Seasonal Festivals

Lughnasa is one of four major Celtic festivals, each marking a key point in the changing seasons.

Samhain is celebrated on the 31st of October and marks the beginning of winter in the traditional Celtic calendar. It is strongly connected with modern Halloween traditions, with ancient customs including bonfires, feasting and remembering ancestors.

Imbolc, celebrated on the 1st of February, welcomes the first signs of spring. It is a festival of renewal, fertility and the return of life to the land after winter.

Beltane, celebrated on the 1st of May, marks the beginning of summer. It is a festival of fire, fertility and celebration, with dancing, music and bonfires forming an important part of the traditions. Edinburgh is home to one of the most famous modern Beltane celebrations, held on Calton Hill, where thousands gather to watch a spectacular display of fire, music and performance.

Read more on Scottish history at librarysearch.napier.ac.uk

By Juliet Kinsey

Photo by Polina Rytova on Unsplash

Read more on Scottish history and Festivals with articles on:

The Edinburgh Festival

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