Venue hire

The SPL is available to hire at very reasonable rates. We can accommodate meetings, presentations, events, book launches, press conferences and many other options. Talk to us about your requirements using our Venue Hire form.

Venue hire form

The Space

Full day: £200

By the hour: £30

The Space is our workshop/meeting room which is located on the ground floor of the Library. The room is usually set boardroom style and can accommodate up to 14 people.

The Space can meet your audio-visual and online needs via our free internet access, LED screen, audio amplification and recording as required. Please note the configurations above are a guide only; please indicate capacity and the nature of the event.

The Mezzanine

Evening weekday: £150

Friday/Saturday evening event: £250

The Mezzanine is our large events space on the first floor of the Library. Our rolling stacks can easily be moved to provide a theatre-style space. With chairs in rows,The Mezzanine can accommodate up to 65 audience members. Seating for smaller groups can also be arranged in different formations (we have flexible-use desks available). We can provide a large wireless LCD screen, projector and screen, or wall projection in this space as well as a lectern, microphones, amplification and audio recording. The Mezzanine also has a hearing loop fitted. The Mezzanine is perfect for poetry readings, book launches or live music events.

As the SPL is an open plan venue, this space is usually only available outside normal opening hours, although the SPL is closed to the public on Mondays which is our preferred day of the week for larger day-time events.

Full Building

Prices available on request.

You may have a larger event in mind, for example a multi-space training day, book launch or corporate event. We are happy to discuss creative ways to use the Library, including the terrace and ground floor: could you be the first couple to get married here? Our maximum capacity for full building events is 150.

Catering-ground floor
The Space (meeting room)
The Space (meeting room)
The Space (meeting room)
Mezzanine event
Ground floor
Terrace (first floor)
Ground floor
Interior
Ground floor
Display cabinet
The First Minister and The Makar at the SPL
Ground floor
Mezzanine
Exterior

Venue Hire FAQs

Where is the SPL?

We are located centrally in Edinburgh just off the Canongate in Crichton’s Close. Nearby places of interest include Holyrood Palace, the Scottish Parliament, Dynamic Earth and Arthur’s Seat.

Waverley Station is about 10 minutes’ walk from the Library (via Market St and New St).

The nearest parking is at Dynamic Earth. Blue Badge holders may park directly outside our building.

The Scottish Poetry Library is the only purpose-built, independently constituted poetry library in the world. The building was opened in 1999, then extended and refurbished in 2015. It houses lending and reference collections of Scottish, UK and international poetry; borrowing is free. The SPL runs a lively events programme and its website is a major resource for Scottish poetry in particular. It works with schools and in community settings.

Scottish charity no: SCO23311

Is the building accessible?

The SPL is fully accessible, has a ground-floor entrance and a lift that accesses all three floors. There is one adapted toilet on the basement floor.

Guide and hearing dogs are welcome. A portable audio loop is available for single users as well as fixed loops at our Reception desk and the events area on the Mezzanine. If you need a multi-user loop system, please let us know as far as possible in advance. For more about our accessibility, please click here.

Are any Friends or charity discounts available?

SPL Friends receive a 10% discount on all hire costs.

The SPL is a fully accessible venue, which aims to host a diverse range of events. Hire costs may be negotiable in line with these aims. Please drop us an email if you’d like to discuss this further: beth.cochrane@spl.org.uk

Can the SPL provide staff for an evening event?

All evening hire events will normally be staffed by one member of SPL staff. We will ensure that the Library is set up as you require before your event, and we will return it to its normal configuration after your event. The staff member on duty will look after the Library during your event and will do their best to assist you as required, however their main job is to manage the reception desk and lock up when you are finished.

If the event is open to the public, we provide one member of SPL staff. Our volunteers are usually keen to lend a hand.

Can the SPL help promote my event?

The SPL has over 35,000 Twitter followers and a vibrant presence on Facebook and other social media outlets. If your event is poetry-related, we can discuss supporting your own promotional activities via our social media upon receipt of details of your event.

What about catering?

In The Space, tea and coffee is available for up to 14 people at £1 per person. We can provide a donation bar of wine, beer and/or soft drinks for any of your events. If you require more complex catering, we can advise on various suppliers or nearby venues which offer meals for large parties. We can accommodate the needs of most caterers if they’re able to bring their own e.g. hot plates.