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.

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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

Return items

Returning Items and Summer Opening Hours

14/05/2026 / / 0 Comments

Returning Items and Summer Opening Hours

 

Are you a student with us who is graduating or leaving the university this summer? We hope you have enjoyed your time with us, and gotten the best out of our library resources and services as well. You may still have some books or a laptop on loan from us – if you are coming towards the end of your course, it’s time to bring these back to us! The good news is that our return processes for both laptops and books are straightforward and self-service.

 

Returning Books…

 

All of our campus libraries have return boxes throughout the building, usually next to our self-service kiosks. To return a book to us and ensure the loan is cleared from your account, bring your books or items to a self-service kiosk in the library, click the red ‘Return’ button, and place the item or items under the kiosk screen to scan and process them as returns. Once you have done this, you can then place them in our return bins, and our library staff will re-shelve them again.

Don’t worry if you have forgotten to scan it through our library self-service kiosks when you drop it into our boxes however, our library staff scan all books we find in our return bins through the kiosks again to check if they have been requested by another patron, or simply sent to one of our other campus libraries to be reshelved. Which means yes – you can indeed return your books to a different campus library from which you retrieved or collected them! We also have return boxes in all Edinburgh Napier student accommodation buildings as well.

 

Can’t get to campus? You can also post any books or items you need to return to us by mailing them to one of our three campus addresses. We would recommend posting them in a padded envelope as items remain your responsibility until they arrive with us.

 

Returning Laptops…

 

Our Lapsafe lockers in all three of our campus libraries, the JKCC and Bainfield Student Accommodation, are self-service, and the returns process for our Lapsafe laptops is similar to the borrowing process. All you need to do is scan your physical or digital student card at the machine, click on the ‘Return’ button when this comes up on the screen and the locker from which you retrieved the laptop when you borrowed it will start flashing. You will then be able to open the locker and return the laptop along with the charger. Please ensure that you plug it into the USB-C charging cable inside as well to ensure it processes as a return. All Lapsafe laptops must be returned to the original campus or building locker from which they were borrowed.

 

If you are having trouble getting to campus to return a Lapsafe laptop device to us, we generally recommend asking someone to return it for you or arranging a courier service to deliver it to us. The person or courier returning the laptop to us on your behalf must have your student card on hand. We do not recommend sending the laptop to us, as it may be damaged in transit.

 

Opening Hours and Contact Details…

 

If you are having trouble returning any items or a Lapsafe laptop to us, or if you have any extenuating circumstances affecting this, you can get in touch with us by emailing library@napier.ac.uk or phoning 01314553500. We are more than happy to help! Our opening hours remain the same over the summer period, with our helpdesks open and helpdesk staff available from 8:45am-16:45pm to take any calls or answer any queries at our helpdesks or via email. You can find more information about our Opening Hours, staffed and unstaffed, in our My Napier webpages. This also includes further information about the essential works taking place at Merchiston campus library this summer, from the 18th of May until Friday 4 September 2026, and how this will also affect their opening hours and library space access.

 

By Rachel Downie

 

Read more about Merchiston library over the summer

International nurses day
Induction Lecture

International Nurses Day 2026

12/05/2026 / / 0 Comments

International Nurses Day 2026

 

What would we do without nurses? Nurses serve a critical purpose and role within the NHS and healthcare industries across the globe. Their roles are safety-critical and require a great degree of professionalism, initiative, emotional resilience, compassion and the ability to think on your feet. This year, the International Nursing Council has declared the theme and central focus of International Nurses Day to be ‘Our Nurses. Our Future. Empowered Nurses Save Lives.’ This message essentially promotes fair pay, improved working conditions, and robust career pathways for nurses to enhance and build a more robust and resilient healthcare system.

 

A little bit of history…

 

International Nurses Day falls on the 12th of May every year – the birthday of Florence Nightingale, who is recognised as the founder of modern nursing practices. Florence Nightingale, often referred to as ‘Lady of the Lamp,’ served as a nurse in Turkey during the Crimean War, caring for sick and wounded allied and British soldiers. She also led, trained and managed teams of fellow nurses and worked to improve nursing and sanitation standards within the Scutari hospital wards.

With funding from the London Times, Nightingale purchased equipment and cleaning supplies and worked to establish higher standards and a higher quality of care by making bathing, laundry, sanitary dressings, and adequate meals an essential part of nursing practice and sanitation within the wards. She would support and help patients in the wards all through the night as well – her efforts and advocacy eventually led to a decrease in the mortality rates within the wards that she supervised and worked in. She also worked to formalise nursing education by organising training for nursing and midwifery trainees in workhouse infirmary buildings.

 

Eventually, her work laid the foundations for the first scientifically based nursing institute and academy to open at St Thomas’s Hospital in London in 1860, named The Nightingale School of Nursing in honour of her contributions and efforts in this field, as well as the positive change she advocated for in general nursing practice. In 1883, she was awarded the Royal Red Cross (RRC) by Queen Victoria for her exceptional service during the war, before going on to earn the Order of Merit in 1907, Britain’s most prestigious civilian award, presented to her by King Edward VII. The annual observance of International Nurses Day on the 12th of May commemorates her contributions to nursing and the fundamental role this profession plays within the healthcare industry.

 

How to celebrate International Nurses Day…

 

Nurses carry out a variety of different tasks and duties daily within hospital wards as well as in other various settings, often under challenging and time-pressured circumstances. They will carry out regular duties such as assessing and monitoring patients, administering medication, treating wounds, communicating with patients and their families, checking vital signs, keeping accurate patient records, and much, much more. International Nurses Day promotes recognition and appreciation of the hard work that our nurses do. Here is some of the ways in which you can show your appreciation for and raise awareness of the valuable contributions nurses make within the healthcare industry and society as a whole:

  • Advocacy and Support: Advocate for and promote improved working conditions, fair pay, and strong policies that support our nurses and their career progression.
  • Make a Donation: There are many charities that help provide essentials and vital resources for nursing education and professional development, to which you can donate.
  • Educate and Raise Awareness: Share inspiring stories and perspectives from nurses and healthcare professionals about the significant and vast contributions nurses make to the healthcare sector. Social media is a great platform for sharing this information widely.

 

Want to learn and read more about nurses and nursing as a profession?…

 And we have more posts

Here are some recommendations from ENU libraries:

  • Dear NHS: 100 stories to say thank you, Kay, Adam, 1980- editor. 2020. Available in Sighthill Campus Library Main Stock.
  • The Nightingale model of nursing, Peet, Rob van der.; Nightingale, Florence, 1820-1910.1995. Available in Sighthill Campus Library Main Stock.
  • Nursing models for nursing students, Wilson, Sally, editor. 2026. Great one for our nursing students! Available in Sighthill Campus Library Main Stock.

 

By Rachel Downie

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