My local library, Foutainbridge Library on Dundee Street, Edinburgh, is a rare and important example of modern Scottish architecture. Designed by John A. W. Grant (1886/7-1959), it was built between 1937 and 1940. It opened as a state-of-the-art library during the Blackout and continues to serve the community today.

(c) Fotofling Scotland – Richard Findlay
The library will be part of this year’s digital Doors Open Days on 26 and 27 September 2020, organised by The Cockburn Association.

Having researched, written and lectured about the library over several years, I was delighted to work with the team there on the video series ‘Behind Closed Doors’ and ‘Up Secret Stairs’. They reveal parts of this marvellous building which are not accessible to visitors, from the basement to the roof!
Information about everything we are doing, as well as the other venues participating in the scheme, will go live here soon.
Just watched the preview and looking forward to watching the full video. My local library too, and such a fantastic building.
Author
So glad that you liked the preview. Sonya and I did it ourselves, on her camera phone and she worked really hard to edit the films. A blessing of Doors Open Days being on-line this year has been being able to show people all sorts of nooks and crannies in the building which we couldn’t otherwise take you to – shinning up stepladders and so on!!