Leighton Library Geraldine Goddard Memorial Lecture

Welcome to the Leighton Library Geraldine Goddard Memorial Lecture. This is the first in what we hope will be an annual lecture, commemorating the kind bequest of Geraldine Goddard. Without her generosity the the Leighton Library Restoration program could not have started.

The Leighton Library, is the oldest purpose-built independent library in Scotland and was founded on the collection of Robert Leighton, Bishop of Dunblane, 1661-1670, later Archbishop of Glasgow, 1670-1674. In his will, Leighton left a sum of money for the building of the library for use by the clergy of Dunblane diocese. Over the next two centuries the Library became a subscription lending library, and as a result has many first edition books that were popular at the time. From around the 1880's the Library closed for over 100 years. The fabric of the building has been in need of restoration for some time. As a result of Geraldine's bequest and further grant funding from Historic and Enviornment Scotland and numerous other bodies the restoration commenced approximately 2 years ago. This summer has seem the Library reopening with record numbers of visitors.

Alastair Macdonald, the lead for the resrotation program, will take us through his 'Reflections on the restoration, its reopening and some of his personal favourites in the collection'

This promises to be a really interesting event. Whilst it is ticketed, the event is free. 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 after the event, so please stay behind to mingle and chat about the Library. The Library will also be open, for those who would like to revisit this special place. "Dunblane's hidden gem"

Host or Publisher The Leighton Library