Inside the Scottish Poetry Library: The Movie

Opened in 1984, the Scottish Poetry Library is the world’s leading resource for Scottish poetry. With the lockdown closing its door to the public for the larger part of this year, the SPL  invites you to take a virtual tour of the building in a specially made film for the Scottish Book Trust’s Book Week Scotland, 2020. Discover why this award-winning building is beloved not just of poets, but architects too.

Hosted by Saltire Prize-winning poet Janette Ayachi, the film takes you by the hand as we stop off to look at its history – and to consider its future. Discover what services the library offers and its various collections, including unique items taken from the SPL’s special collections. Learn about the Library’s relationship with the mysterious book sculptures that captured the world’s attention a decade ago.

Ayachi is joined by two poets who read their work and discuss what the Library means to them: Louise Peterkin and RJ Arkhipov. The film is a cheering reminder of all that a library can do, even during a pandemic.