Elder Park Library

From Persia to Glasgow - Coding the Collections

Tickets: Free - ticket required

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Dates and times: Thursday 12th Jun 2025
1:30pm
Age: All ages, Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult
Venue: Elder Park Library

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Mix historic Persian paintings from the Mitchell Library with modern Glasgow by using a free coding app on your phone to create a tiny game or animation. Run by Glasgow Life staff and volunteers. No coding experience necessary.

13:30 - 13:50

Why does the Mitchell Library have a book of 19th century Persian paintings?

Look at a book of paintings of scenes from a 19th century Persian palace and learn about the paintings and life in the palace. Find out how they came to be in Glasgow and hear about other books donated to the Mitchell for the people of Glasgow.

13:15 - 14:30

Make a tiny game or animation

Create tiny games and animations featuring characters from the paintings against a depiction of the Mitchell in the style of Persian miniature paintings. These can be shared with friends and family or as videos and GIFs on social media. No experience needed - easy-to-follow instructions on how to arrange the instruction blocks will be provided on printed cards. Help will also be available to get rid of any glitches!

Part of Glasgow Science Festival.

Accessibility guides

Read the accessibility guide for Elder Park Library on AccessAble

Accessible toilets

The accessible toilet is approximately 30m (32yd 2ft) from the accessible entrance. The accessible toilet is located in the foyer.

Assistance dogs

Assistance dogs are welcome. We can provide a bowl of water for an assistance dog.

Hearing loop

There is a portable loop hearing assistance system.

Wheelchair access

Baby changing

Baby feeding

Computers

PC's and printing services are available for public use.

Parking

This library does not have its own car parking access. The space at the front of the building is for deliveries and accessibility only. There is on-street car parking on Langlands Road.

Photography and video recording

On occasion, Glasgow Life will be on the premises to film and take photos.

Study spaces

Free wifi

View Elder Park Library on Google Maps

Location Map

THIN AIR
Michelle Paver

This is a hugely enjoyable ghost story, atmospheric and chilling. It is a story about an attempt in 1935 by five Englishmen to climb Kangchenjunga, a Himalyan mountain more deadly than Everest. A rucksack belonging to a dead mountaineer appears to follow them. Is it an optical illusion? Is someone menacing the group? The ice ‘creaking and groaning’ are vividly described. This is a ghost story to chill and thrill, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Dark Matter by the same author is also excellent.

Karyl, Elder Park Library.

The library was gifted to Govan by Mrs Isabella Elder and opened by Andrew Carnegie in 1903.

Mrs Elder donated £10,000 to meet the cost of building.

Elder Park Library was gifted to Govan by Mrs Isabella Elder, who donated £10,000 to meet the cost of the building in the early 1900s.

The library has served the people and visitors of the city since the building was opened in 1903.

In partnership with Elderpark Housing Association, Elder Park Library and Community Hub has undergone significant work to improve the building so that it best meets the needs of the local community.

The upgrades include a full interior and exterior refurbishment which provides improved library and community spaces, a new community kitchen and more bookable areas for local people to use. These areas are supported by additional library toilets and improved baby changing facilities. The work will also ensure the A-listed building – protected by Historic Environment Scotland because of its architectural and historic interest – is more accessible and sustainable.

The revamped Elder Park Library and Community Hub has improved the building’s energy performance. The new features include more natural ventilation, energy-efficient boilers, new electrical wiring and lighting and a weather station.

All of the new additions connect to a building management system which monitors temperature and ventilation. The building also has new fire safety and security systems. These installations will not only greatly reduce its carbon footprint, but also improve comfort and safety for visitors.