Uni study of reading habits

Stirling University academics have been awarded £1m for a project aimed at uncovering the history of reading in Scotland from 1750 to 1830.

Using library records, the research is the first attempt to systematically analyse and compare borrowers’ registers across Scotland.

It is being led by English Studies lecturer Dr Katie Halsey, who said: “We are bringing together the largest number of historic borrowing records ever attempted, and our eventual database will contain at least 150,000 records of borrowing.

“By analysing existing records from 15 historic libraries across Scotland, this cutting-edge research will contradict established narratives about which books are important to our national history and explore what was actually being read.

“From lead miners in Dumfries and Galloway to clergymen in Dunblane and advocates in Edinburgh, we’ll explore the hidden histories of the book use of people across the country during this time period and create a valuable new resource to reveal participation in literate culture.”

The study, Books and Borrowing 1750-1830: An Analysis of Scottish Borrowers’registers, has received £1,014,683 from the Arts & Humanities Research Council with final results expected in May 2023.

The 15 partner libraries include the university libraries of Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and St Andrew’s, the National Library of Scotland, the Advocates Library, the Library of Innerpeffray, Kirkwall Library and Westerkirk Miners’library.

A full list and more details about the project can be found on the dedicated website: www.borrowing. stir.ac.uk/