Partnerships

We actively collaborate with other major Scottish cultural institutions to enhance our collective capabilities and extend our impact. These partnerships allow us to share expertise, resources, and to jointly engage in initiatives that promote Scotland's rich heritage and contemporary culture.

Kelvin Hall is the home of the National Library of Scotland in Glasgow. It is a unique partnership between Glasgow Life, the University of Glasgow, and the National Library of Scotland.

Alongside out partners, Kelvin Hall provides access to:

• collections,
• temporary displays,
• teaching and research,
• Glasgow Club health and fitness centre,
• soft play,
• and Clip n' Climb.

Kelvin Hall is accredited by VisitScotland as a five-star visitor attraction and has also achieved the Gold award for Green Tourism.

Read more about Kelvin Hall

Other Scottish cultural partners include:

• Glasgow Life
• Historic Environment Scotland 
• National Galleries of Scotland 
• National Museums Scotland 
• National Trust for Scotland
• National Records of Scotland 
• Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh 

We formalise some of our collaborations through Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs). This ensures alignment with our strategic objectives and operational needs.

Current partners under MoUs include: 

• BBC Scotland:
  Our partnership with BBC Scotland recognises the similar aims and ambitions of both organisations to provide a range of content and services that engage, inform and entertain the people of Scotland. Our focus is on joining together to maximise our reach into people's lives, to create content together and to explore the potential for knowledge transfer and learning across both organisations.
• Glasgow Life/The British Library (Business & IP Centre, The Mitchell Library):
  This collaboration enhances our public engagement by making our resources more accessible to a broader audience. The Business & IP Centre at The Mitchell Library is a pivotal element in this partnership, offering local entrepreneurs and businesses access to the National Library's extensive collections and business support services.
• Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Scotland's National Centre for Gaelic Language and Culture:
  Our partnership with Sabhal Mòr Ostaig is founded on a shared desire for closer co-operation and collaboration on the stewardship, accessibility and promotion of Gaelic language and culture, nationally and internationally. We have a shared ambition to connect communities around Scotland and beyond with our national Gaelic collections.
• Scottish Enterprise:
  We support Scotland's economic growth and innovation through information sharing and resource development. This partnership allows us to contribute to the business community by providing access to valuable research materials and business intelligence.

We are an active member of several professional and academic bodies. This enhances our reach and capabilities through shared knowledge and resources and allows us to foster and support innovation in library and information services.

Our memberships include:

• Archives and Records Association (ARA)
  ARA supports the careers of archives, records management, and conservation professionals in the UK and Ireland.   
• Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals in Scotland (CILIPS)
  CILIPS is dedicated to the development of professional library and information services in Scotland.  
• Conference of European National Librarians (CENL)
  CENL promotes and enhances cooperation among Europe's national libraries.
• Digital Preservation Coalition (DPC)
  The DPC works to protect digital assets and keep them accessible long term.
• Film Archives UK
  The Film Archives supports the work of film archives across the UK to preserve and share the nation's film heritage.   
• International Association of Labour History Institutions
  It focuses on the documentation and research of labour history.   
• International Association of Sound and Audiovisual Archives (IASA)
  It focuses on the care and preservation of sound and audiovisual archives worldwide. 
• International Council on Archives
  It promotes the preservation and use of archives around the world.  
• International Federation of Film Archives (FIAF)
  It is dedicated to the preservation of and access to the global film heritage.  
• International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)
  IFLA is the leading international body representing the interests of library and information services and their users.  
• Research Libraries UK (RLUK)
  RLUK is a consortium of the leading and most significant research libraries in the UK and Ireland, aiming to increase the visibility and accessibility of their collections.
• Scotland's Sounds
  Scotland's Sounds is a network of organisations and individuals who have a shared interest in preserving and protecting Scotland's audio heritage. 
• Scottish Confederation of University and Research Libraries (SCURL)
  SCURL enhances library and information services across Scottish universities and institutions.  
• Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC)
  SLIC is the independent advisory body to the Scottish Government on library and information related matters. 
• Society of College, National and University Libraries (SCONUL)
  SCONUL represents university libraries in the UK and Ireland, fostering innovation and collaboration. 
• The Association for Manuscripts and Archives in Research Collections
  This association advocates for the preservation and accessibility of manuscript and archive collections.