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Leighton Library, Dunblane

Scotland's oldest purpose-built independent library founded in 1687

2025 Geraldine Goddard Memorial Lecture presented by Dr Josh Smith

15 November 2025

2025 Geraldine Goddard Memorial Lecture

Presentation by Dr Josh Smith, Leighton Library Volunteer Guide and lead on the writing team for the Leighton Library Undercroft. Josh was the main Leighton Library contributor in the project (under the auspices of the University of Stirling, the University of Glasgow and the Arts and Humanities Research Council)  ‘Books and Borrowing: An Analysis of Scottish Borrowers’ Registers, 1750-1830’

Refreshments served from 10am with presentation at 10.30am in Dunblane Cathedral Hall

This is the second annual lecture, commemorating the kind bequest of Geraldine Goddard. With her generosity, the recent Leighton Library Restoration was able to be started. The fabric of the building had been in need of restoration for some time. As a result of Geraldine's bequest, and further grant funding from Historic and Environment Scotland and numerous other bodies and individuals, the restoration commenced just over two years ago. The summer of 2024 saw the Leighton Library reopen with record numbers of visitors.

In terms of the Leighton Library's records in the ‘Books and Borrowing: An Analysis of Scottish Borrowers’ Registers, 1750-1830’, the project has digitised and transcribed all of the library's late eighteenth and early nineteenth century borrowings contained across three ledgers. Overall, the Leighton data comprises 6,737 borrowing records of 809 books borrowed between the years 1780 and 1840. These books were written by 565 authors and borrowed by 306 individuals. 245 (80%) of these borrowers were male, while 61 (20%) were female, although the vast majority of borrowing records (95%) were made be men. According to the data, an average of 22 borrowings were made per borrower and each book holding was borrowed an average of 8 times. The project has also digitised the Leighton's Minute Book (1734-1822) and a fourth ledger, containing borrowings from 1725-48. Images from both may be viewed on the website.

This promises to be a really interesting event. The event is free but places are limited. In the past our events have always been oversubscribed, so please get your ticket early. This will also help us with the logistics in the hall. There will be light refreshments provided so that there will be time to mingle and chat. The Leighton Library will also be open for those who would like to revisit "Dunblane's hidden gem."

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