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Our calendar page lists details of one-off events for adults hosted by libraries. 

For details of regular events such as book groups and children's activities at a specific library visit the library's page or follow them on Facebook.

May 2026

EIBF Paper Trails x Ratho Library: Claire Mitchell and Zoe Venitozzi – How we remember

Join campaigners and hosts of the Witches of Scotland podcast, human rights lawyer Claire Mitchell and novelist Zoe Venditozzi, as they uncover one of the murkiest chapters in Scottish history – the killings of 4,000 women (and men) accused of witchcraft. 

Mitchell and Venditozzi join Victoria Murray for a lively discussion delving into the nature of memorials, their evident omission of woman, and how our ways of remembering history can exist beyond the metal of statues. These topics –and many more – are explored through their sinisterly humorous book:  How to Kill a Witch: A Guide for the Patriarchy.

Paper Trails is the òòò½ÊÓƵnternational Book Festival’s multi-year communities project working to tackle literacy inequality and social isolation.

Monday 18 May at 6pm

Ratho Library
Ratho
EH28 8TT

Tormain Research Talk

Join us for a talk on the Tormain Woods project, where ongoing research has uncovered evidence spanning from the Mesolithic to the Early Medieval period. The project is a community archaeology initiative investigating the prehistoric landscape of Tormain Hill, a Ratho heritage site in danger of being lost, both physically and in memory.

Tuesday 19 May at 3pm

Ratho Library
Ratho
EH28 8TT

Author talk with Alex Howard

Newington Library will be hosting a talk with local author Alex Howard, writer of The Ghost Cat and The Library Cat. He'll be discussing his latest novel, The Ship's Cat.

Tuesday 19 May at 6.30pm

Newington Library
17-21 Fountainhall Road
EH9 2LN

EIBF Paper Trails x Ratho Library: Mary Paulson-Ellis - A journey through time

In her third novel exploring Edinburgh’s rich and mysterious history, author and writer-in-residence at Edinburgh University, Mary Paulson-Ellis, brings readers Emily Nobles Disgrace - the fictional tale of trauma cleaner Essie Pound and policewoman Emily Noble, and their journey as they uncover remnants of a twisted and gruesome past. Join Paulson-Ellis and local Ratho writer Charlie Roy, for a captivating event discussing the value and magic of depicting historical periods through an imaginative lens.  

Paper Trails is the òòò½ÊÓƵnternational Book Festival’s multi-year communities project working to tackle literacy inequality and social isolation.

Wednesday 20 May at 6pm

Ratho Library
Ratho
EH28 8TT

EIBF Paper Trails x Ratho Library: Elle McNicoll – Caring about the past

Change historical narratives with author Elle McNicoll as she delves into the Scotland's history of the witch trials and the victims of this dark era. In her 2021 Waterstones Children's Book Prize-winning novel, A Kind of Spark, 11-year-old protagonist Addie, campaigns for a memorial in memory of the witch trials that took place in her hometown. Join Elle for an inspiring event on empowerment and making your voice heard in your community!  

Paper Trails is the òòò½ÊÓƵnternational Book Festival’s multi-year communities project working to tackle literacy inequality and social isolation. 

Saturday 23 May at 11am

Ratho library
Ratho
EH28 8TT

Music on the Mezzanine - Moonlighting Flutes

Moonlighting Flutes bring their love of the flute to the Mezzanine and a repertoire of arrangements of popular classics and works for flutes by Bozza, Mendelssohn and Berthomieu.

Saturday 23 May at 1pm

EIBF Paper Trails x Ratho Library: Alistair Moffat – History all around us 

Prolific social historian and Edinburgh favourite, Alistair Moffat, joins us at Ratho Library to discuss The Secret History of Here: A Year in the Valley. In this journal-style novel, set in the heart of the Scottish Borders, Moffat explores the history of the place that surrounds his home, but through his insights, invites all to witness the rich history that encompasses us all.   

Paper Trails is the òòò½ÊÓƵnternational Book Festival’s multi-year communities project working to tackle literacy inequality and social isolation.

Saturday 23 May at 3pm

Ratho Library
Ratho
EH28 8TT

June 2026

Music on the Mezzanine - Simon Mercieca

Simon Mercieca will bring his Celtic inspired jazz to the Mezzanine, fresh from his performances at the Malta Jazz Festival and with the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra.

Saturday 6 June at 1pm

Music on the Mezzanine - Composers Orchestra

Our last event of our Spring and Summer season welcomes the Composers Orchestra to the Mezzanine. It is fitting that on the day before Make Music Day, a worldwide celebration of music making, we join the pre-celebrations with an afternoon of exclusive performances.

Saturday 20 June at 1pm