Ratho Library was officially opened by Her Majesty Queen Camilla this month as part of an exciting new partnership between the Edinburgh International Book Festival and Edinburgh Libraries.
Her Majesty was given a tour of the library by Deputy Lieutenant Sir Ian Rankin and Jenny Niven, Edinburgh international Book Festival Director. Library staff, library users, volunteers form the Royal Voluntary Service as well as children and staff from the adjoining nursery all attended the opening on Tuesday 1st July.
The visit was a celebration of reading, literature and libraries, with Her Majesty the Queen having the opportunity to speak to young writers from the Book Festival Initiative Citizen Collective. Her Majesty also stepped on board one of Edinburgh Libraries’ new electric mobile libraries which will go into operation later this year.
Enhanced Services
Ratho Library is one of four library services which will benefit from the new partnership between the two organisations. Paper Trails will see Edinburgh Libraries enhance their service programme within Ratho Library, Muirhouse Library, Liberton High School and their mobile library service.
The initial three year partnership will see the Edinburgh International Book Festival work with the library and local communities to develop a programme of engagement. The partnership launch later this year will focus on the mobile library service – delivering an exciting programme of events and activities in eight care homes as part of their regular library visits. As part of Paper Trails, the Edinburgh International Book Festival is also working with Sreetreads – a volunteer run initiative which gives books to people experiencing homelessness.
