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Doors Open Days: Mitchell Library

As part of Doors Open Days, come along to hear about the Mitchell Library's fascinating history, explore its beautiful spaces, and discover some of the unique collections that make it so special.

Doors Open Days: Mitchell Library

About Doors Open Days: Mitchell Library

Doors Open Days is Scotland's largest free festival that celebrates places and stories, new and old.

Join us at the Mitchell Library for an engaging talk, guided tours, and drop-in sessions exploring its rich history and remarkable collections.

Come along to hear about the library’s fascinating history, explore its beautiful spaces, and discover some of the unique collections that make it so special.

This iconic Glasgow landmark offers a unique glimpse into the city's literary and architectural heritage.

Whether you're a first-time visitor or a regular, there’s always something new to learn and enjoy.

Thursday 18th September at 18:00pm. 'History of the Mitchell Illustrated Talk'

Please pre-book your free tickets for the talk via Eventbrite

Thursday 18th - Saturday 20th September. Guided tours (SOLD OUT)

13:00pm and 16:00pm on Thursday 18th September
10:00am and 14:00pm on Friday 19th September
10:00am, 11:30am, 14:00pm and 15:00pm on Saturday 20th September
Please pre-book your free tickets for our guided tours using this Eventbrite link

Saturday 20th September: Glasgow Firsts

Feast your eyes on some "Glasgow Firsts" at our Doors Open Day handling session!

Join our librarians to "turn the pages" of historic Glasgow with:

The first newspaper printed in Glasgow
The first history of Glasgow
The first directory of Glasgow
First book printed in the city.
Drop in between 11am - 12 noon & 3pm - 4pm on the ground floor.
While you're here, why not spend some time at our current exhibition, Performing 19th Century Glasgow: Nation, Celebrity, Empire, now running on the ground floor.

Sponsored Links

Open Pass Scotland
Hilton Glasgow
King Pins
Renfrewshire Council
Media Shop
Fayre Play
Glasgow City Council

Other Events at The Mitchell Library and Theatre or Doors Open Days

Glasgow Mitchell Library Classics Book Group

Selected dates between 3rd July 2025 - 4th December 2025

Glasgow Mitchell Library Classics Book Group runs on the first Thursday of each month with the library kindly providing books for all members, so there is no cost involved!

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Cut and Paste Tuesday

Selected dates between 23rd September 2025 - 30th December 2025

Cut and Paste Tuesday at The Mitchell Library is a monthly workshop for seasoned zine makers and newbies alike!

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Love Letters to A Murder: The Mythology of Madeleine Smith

18th October 2025

Join Kirsten McQuarrie and Lesley McDowell at the Mitchell Library, and hear about Madeleine Smith's extraordinary story as portrayed in McDowell's historical novel, Love and Other Poisons (Wildfire).

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Talk: Performing Race and Empire in Victorian Glasgow

25th October 2025

This talk at the Mitchell Library will examine two forms of popular entertainment that engaged with race in ways both controversial and subversive.

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Aye Write: The Guide to Gaelic Scotland: Coinneach Maclean with Maureen Macleod

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Gaelic speaker and South Uist native Coinneach Maclean sits down with travel writer and BBC radio presenter Mauren Macleod to discuss his new book as part of Aye Write 2025!

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Aye Write: Poor Creatures and Hawthorn: Mairi Kidd and Elaine Thomson with Neil MacKay

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Aye Write: Glasgow’s Greatest Hits: Alison Stroak, Fiona Shepherd & Jonathan Trew with Bandeoke

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Aye Write: Sudden Fame: Federation of Writers

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Aye Write: Who Will Be Remembered Here - Queer Spaces in Scotland: Mae Diansangu, Louise Welsh, Lewis Hetherington

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Aye Write: The Incidental Feminist: Tina Gaudoin with Kate Muir

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Aye Write: Childless by Choice: Helen Taylor with Lesley McDowell

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Aye Write: How to Have a Magnificent Midlife Crisis: Kate Muir

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Journalist Vicky Allan joins writer, filmmaker, and women's health campaigner Kate Muir to discuss Kate's new book, How to Have a Magnificent Midlife Crisis for Aye Write 2025!

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Aye Write: Hold Fast: Catherine Simpson & Nina Mega with Gabriella Bennett

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Award-winning novelist and memoir writer Catherine Simpson is joined on stage by her adult daughter, Nina Mega, for an in-depth conversation with journalist Gabriella Bennett as part of Aye Write!

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Aye Write: The Road to Mons Gaupius: Alan Montgomery

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Dr Alan Montgomery gives an illustrated talk about Roman Scotland based on his new book, The Road to Mons Graupius as part of Aye Write 2025.

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Aye Write: Happy Healthy Sober: Janey Lee Grace

9th November 2025

With her signature blend of honesty, humour, and holistic wisdom, former WHAM! backing singer Janey Lee Grace discusses her book, Happy Healthy Sober, with host Frankie Burr for Aye Write 2025.

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Aye Write: Sit Down with Serial Killers: Shaun Atwood

9th November 2025

In his Aye Write Festival debut, Shaun Atwood discusses his new book, Sitdowns with Serial Killers & Murderers and what it's like talking to some of the most menacing and violent people on the planet.

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Aye Write: The Old Divide - Sectarianism in Scotland: A History: Chris Bambery with Kirsteen Paterson

9th November 2025

Chris Bambery sits down with Kirsteen Paterson to discuss the historical events that have constructed sectarianism in Scotland for Aye Write 2025.

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Aye Write: Irish Unity Dividend: Ben Collins

9th November 2025

Author Ben Collins sits down to discuss his new book, The Irish Unity Dividend, as part of Aye Write 2025.

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Aye Write: Conversations with Tim Ingold: Anthropology, Education and Life with Hannah Whaley

9th November 2025

Don't miss a lively conversation with internationally renowned anthropologist Tim Ingold, tackling the big questions on what makes a good life with warmth and irreverence in equal measure.

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Aye Write: The Autobiography of Jethro Tull’s Guitarist: Martin Barre with Alistair Braidwood

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Scots Whay Hae! podcast host Alistair Braidwood welcomes legendary Jethro Tull guitarist Martin Barre to the Aye Write stage to discuss Martin’s autobiography, A Trick of Memory.

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Aye Write: A Fire in their Hearts: Philip Paris with Ann Landmann

13th November 2025

Best-selling author Philip Paris joins Ann Landmann from the Edinburgh-based publisher, Birlinn Books, to discuss Philip's latest novel, A Fire in Their Hearts.

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Aye Write: Concrete Dreams: Chris Leslie, Mitch Miller & Alison Irvine

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Writer Alison Irvine, photographer and filmmaker Chris Leslie, and illustrator Mitch Miller combine their considerable talents in Concrete Dreams: The Rise and Fall of Cumbernauld Town Centre.

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Aye Write: Barrowland: The Inside Story of Glasgow’s Beloved Ballroom and One Love, One Life: Alison Irvine and Billy Sloan

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Music lovers rejoice as Aye Write welcomes two writers to the festival, each with their own love letter to the Glasgow music scene!

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Aye Write: Saltwash and Idle Grounds: Andrew Michael Hurley and Krystelle Bamford with Kavan Stafford

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Kavan Stafford chats with two modern fiction writers about their respective dark and chilling tales.

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Aye Write: You Don’t Have to be Mad to Work Here: Benji Waterhouse

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With a mix of stand-up comedy and readings from his book, award-winning comedian, best-selling author, and NHS psychiatrist Benji Waterhouse considers some of life's big questions.

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Aye Write: Rhyme and Reason: A Short History of Poetry and People (for People who Don’t Usually Read Poetry): Mark Forsyth

15th November 2025

Mark Forsyth makes his Aye Write debut to talk about his latest book, Rhyme & Reason, a funny, charming guide to poetry (and people) for people who don't usually read poetry!

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Aye Write: Art Deco Scotland: Design and Architecture in the Jazz Age: Bruce Peter

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In Art Deco Scotland: Design and Architecture in the Jazz Age, Professor Bruce Peter (Glasgow School of Art) explores the remarkable range of Art Deco objects and images created here in Scotland.

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Aye Write: Words from Whaleback City: Andy Jackson & Bill Herbert

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Whaleback City Press is Dundee's new and vibrant small publisher, specialising in big ideas in small packages and this event showcases work from its first two projects!

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Aye Write: The Pen is Mightier: Edward Tudor Pole

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Edward Tudor Pole takes to the Aye Write stage to discuss his autobiography, The Pen is Mightier.

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Aye Write: Single and Psycho: Caroline Young with Zoe Venditozzi

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Edinburgh-based author Caroline Young joins podcaster and writer Zoe Venditozzi to discuss Young's latest book, Single and Psycho: How pop culture created the unstable single woman.

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Aye Write: My Mother’s Murder: Gina McGavin and Jane Hamilton with Douglas Skelton

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Aye Write: Sunday Best: Daniel Gray

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Author and journalist Peter Ross welcomes Daniel Gray to a Sunday evening in the Mitchell Library to chat about Daniel’s new book, Sunday Best: Travels Through the Day of Rest.

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Aye Write: There She Goes: Esa Aldegheri with Linda Cracknell and Claire Askew

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Editor Esa Aldegheri sits down with contributors Linda Cracknell and Claire Askew to discuss their new book, There She Goes.

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Aye Write: Pop Scars: Anthony Kavanagh with Carrie Marshall

16th November 2025

One-time teen popstar Anthony Kavanagh takes to the Aye Write stage to discuss his searingly honest memoir, Pop Scars.

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Aye Write: Wild Mountain Times: Gary Robertson with Gabriella Bennett

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Dundee-based author Gary Robertson joins journalist Gabriella Bennett for a lively discussion about Gary's new book, Wild Mountain Times as part of Aye Write 2025!

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Aye Write: Universality and Alive in the Merciful Country: Natasha Brown and A L Kennedy with Gabriella Bennett

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Award-winning Scots writer, academic, and occasional stand-up comedian A L Kennedy returns to Aye Write to discuss her latest acclaimed novel.

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Aye Write: The Secret Christmas Library and Christmas at the Movies: Jenny Colgan and Anne Marie Ryan with Dawn Vallance

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Aye Write: Dead Man’s Tale and Acts of Malice: Quiintin Jardine and Alex Gray with Douglas Skelton

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In this special Aye Write event, crime writer Douglas Skelton welcomes two contemporaries to the stage to discuss their new books — each with a grizzled Scottish detective and a murder to solve.

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Aye Write: Following Sam: Jon and Sam’s Journey Conquering the 42: Jon Attenborough

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Aye Write: Unfinished Business and Thrive: Henry McLeish & James Mitchell and Lesley Riddoch with Kirsteen Paterson

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In this special sit-down examining the potential future of Scotland and Scottish politics, Kirsteen Paterson is a journalist with 20 years experience of covering politics and policy in Scotland.

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Sponsored Links

East Renfrewshire Culture
Link
Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust
City Of Glasgow Chorus
City Sightseeing Glasgow
Hilton Glasgow
Hostelworld
ATG

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