Orkney Library & Archive

07/09/2026

WANTED - 3 CREWS OF SCURVY SEA DOGS FOR TABLETOP ROLEPLAY SESSIONS ON INTERNATIONAL TALK LIKE A PIRATE DAY!

ARRR we have 3 Pirate-themed Tabletop Roleplay Sessions coming up at Orkney Library & Archive on SATURDAY 19th September! 🏴‍☠️

Captain Simon will be here all day running 3 sessions - 1 session for young pirates (aged 10 and under) and 2 sessions for anyone aged 11+ and adults are also welcome to attend. 🦜

Everything you need will be provided at the sessions! More details on the attached poster! 🏴‍☠️

Spaces are LIMITED so BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL - you can book online now at:
https://orkney.spydus.co.uk/cgi-bin/spydus.exe/MSGTRN/WPAC/HOME

Just click on the Tabletop Roleplay event - there are 3 available so make sure you select the correct session. Click Register for Event, then login to your library account to book your place. 🦜

You can also book by phoning 01856 873166 or emailing us at [email protected]. If an event is fully booked you can book onto the waiting list and we'll let you know if a space becomes available. 🏴‍☠️

07/09/2026

Picture the scene. It's 1769. You're William Aberdeen and you're drawing a map of Sebay in Tankerness, . It's going well but then you realise there are some blank bits so you decide to add some decoration.

You think about what to draw for a moment. It's an obvious choice.

That's right. You draw a man riding a pig.

07/09/2026

04/09/2026

Until the 9th of September we've got a wonderful exhibition of photographs from the Orkney Japan Association about some fascinating connections between the two places, stretching back to the 1870s.

Come along to see the exhibition whenever the Library is open. You can also more in this short photo essay by following the link below:

https://www.orkneyjapan.com/orkney-and-japan-connected-since-the-1870s-a-small-photo-essay/

or at www.orkneyjapan.com.

04/09/2026

Until the 9th of September we've got a wonderful exhibition of photographs from the Orkney Japan Association about some fascinating connections between the two places, stretching back to the 1870s.

Come along to see the exhibition whenever the Library is open. You can also more in this short photo essay by following the link below:

https://www.orkneyjapan.com/orkney-and-japan-connected-since-the-1870s-a-small-photo-essay/

04/09/2026

If you've been joining in with our Audio Waves Book Club then our sixth Audio Waves title is: INTERMEZZO by Sally Rooney. Available FREE on with your Orkney Library card (OR find it wherever you get your Audiobooks) 🎧

Why not have a listen (or a read) and join in!

Audio Waves Book Club is our way of offering a book club experience to readers who require or prefer audiobooks - there are no meetings so ANYONE can join in, wherever they live in the world. It doesn't matter if you're just next door, on another island, or on another continent!

Every couple of months we nominate a new book for everyone to listen to, then you just send us a ⭐ rating and a short review via email. Find out more on our website at: https://orkneylibrary.org.uk/audio-waves-book-club/ where you can also find all the previous titles and read the reviews. ✍️

03/09/2026

Having the in the UK just now is exciting but DID YOU KNOW that in the Archive we have our very own tapestry which tells the story of St Magnus?

It's not as old/long/historically significant as the Bayeux Tapestry but it's still well worth a visit. 🪡

03/09/2026

Orkney experts we have a question!

Does anyone know where this is?

This photograph was taken by Tom Kent - it's undated but was most likely taken around 100 years ago or longer - we're just not sure where it is!

Any suggestions gratefully received.

02/09/2026

Here is another opportunity to attend a LIVE author event with an internationally bestselling author, without leaving your house!

Our friends at BorrowBox are hosting an exclusive online event with author Matt Haig NEXT MONDAY on the 7th September - and you are ALL invited!

Join Matt Haig live as he takes you inside his latest story, The Midnight Train, and talks about the ideas that inspired it.

In this exclusive online event, Matt will reflect on his writing life and the themes that run through so much of his work – from hope and mental health to love, connection and the paths our lives can take.

The session will include a live Q&A, giving borrowers the chance to ask questions about The Midnight Train, acclaimed novels such as The Midnight Library, The Life Impossible, and his much-loved children's books including The Truth Pixie and A Mouse Called Miika.

To join in this FREE online session just sign up via the registration link below.

https://bolinda.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_OUgI2AxrTQS6bKP3vu04XQ #/registration

Date: Monday 7th September 2026
Time: 10am (UK time)