What are the opening hours?

Tuesday 10am - 5pm Wednesday 1pm - 8pm Thursday 10am - 5pm Friday 10am - 5pm Saturday 10am - 5pm

National Library of Scotland at Kelvin Hall

Home
United Kingdom
Glasgow
National Library of Scotland at Kelvin Hall

Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from National Library of Scotland at Kelvin Hall, Library, 1445 Argyle Street, Glasgow.

The National Library of Scotland's Moving Image, Sound and Music Collections at Glasgow's Kelvin Hall gives you access to thousands of digital resources in our collections, together with a jam-packed programme of events throughout the year.

01/05/2026

"Why go on May Day procession at all?"

"To show that you're there and that you can march [...] it's a statement about workers and their solidarity with each other."

This International Workers' Day we're looking back at 'GLASGOW BY THE WAY: May Day Rally' [ref 4898] from 1987. Scotland has a strong history of worker solidarity, and May Day is often commemorated locally with marches, rallies, and other actions.

This film can be viewed at any National Library of Scotland site for free. For more information about how to find us, please visit: https://www.nls.uk/visit/

23/04/2026

🚨 Low ticket warning for Saturday's free Cardboard loom weaving workshop!

Learn some simple weaving techniques to make your own woven wall hanging in this family-friendly workshop. During the workshop there will be a screening of selected films from our archive which document the history of weaving in Scotland.

There are two sessions beginning at 10.30am and 2pm. Book now to avoid disappointment: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cardboard-loom-weaving-workshop-tickets-1795129684209?aff=oddtdtcreator

16/04/2026

Today marks 280 years since the Battle of Culloden, where the Jacobite rising of 1745 came to a head. Charles Edward Stuart [known fondly as 'Bonnie Prince Charlie'] had led a potent ten-month campaign to restore his family house to the British throne, though - following supply shortages - was not fully prepared to meet enemy British forces when they clashed near Inverness. The battle was short and bloody, and while Jacobitism dwindled as a political force after Stuart's defeat at Culloden, it remains romanticised in Scotland to this day.

A SONG FOR PRINCE CHARLIE from 1959 retells the story of the rising through song, highlighting the enduring Scottish landscape of Bonnie Prince Charlie's post-battle escape route. Watch the film for free here: https://movingimage.nls.uk/film/2256

11/04/2026

To celebrate what would have been Scottish-Canadian filmmaker Norman McLaren's 112th birthday, we're highlighting the experimental 'Stars and Stripes' [ref 0650] from 1943. A pioneer in numerous areas of animation, McLaren actually created this film without the use of a camera, instead drawing its titular shapes directly onto 35mm film: https://movingimage.nls.uk/film/0650

Visit us at the Kelvin Hall to see 'Stars and Stripes' - as well as more of McLaren's filmography - for free: https://www.nls.uk/visit/kelvin-hall/

02/04/2026

🐣 EASTER OPENING HOURS 🐣

Friday 3 April (Good Friday): Closed
Saturday 4 April: Open 10am to 5pm
Sunday 5 April (Easter Sunday): Closed
Monday 6 April (Easter Monday): Closed

We return to our usual opening hours from Tuesday 7 April.

Still from EASTER [REF 7223] - watch it here for free: https://movingimage.nls.uk/film/7223

27/03/2026

☀️ Here at the library we're looking forward to the brighter evenings when the clocks 'spring forward' on Sunday. This practice dates back to 1916 in the UK, when the Summer Time Act - influenced by the need to conserve coal during wartime - was passed.

Filmed between 1916 and 1922, ST. ANDREWS 1916 is a great example of some of the events that were taking place in Fife around this time. We see the installation of Sir Douglas Haig as Lord Rector of St. Andrews University, as well as the Duke of York visiting St. Andrews golf course.

Watch the film for free here: https://movingimage.nls.uk/film/1315

20/03/2026

☀️ Today in Scotland we welcome the spring equinox, and thus the start of astronomical spring.

If you can't get out into nature today, why not watch this charming short film instead? SPRING FLOWERS IN A SCOTTISH WOOD - created by former Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum Natural History Curator Charles Palmar - depicts regional flora and fauna (including snowdrops, robins, and bullfinches) as the season turns.

See it for free via our online moving image catalogue: https://movingimage.nls.uk/film/2809

13/03/2026

Missing Glasgow Film Festival already? Fret not - we've compiled some of our favourite films from the archive that have been featured at GFF and GSFF over the years. From gripping documentaries to fantastical tales, you're sure to find something special. For more information, see the Letterboxd list here: https://boxd.it/STk6g

Stills from Where You're Meant to Be (2016), Annie Ross: No One But Me (2012), and Last Order (2011).

08/03/2026

In honour of International Women's Day, we're highlighting works by female filmmakers in our archive. All films are available to view at any National Library of Scotland site, with a selection available to view from home via our Online Moving Image Catalogue. For more information, see the Letterboxd list here: https://boxd.it/EToZ4/detail

Stills from A Portrait of Ga (1952), Breadmakers (2007), and X In Scotland (1993).

27/02/2026

🚨 Low ticket warning for next Wednesday's 'Girl' and Q&A with director Adura Onashile!

Join us in celebration of International Women’s Day with this special free screening of the film ‘Girl’ (2023). Filmed in Glasgow and directed by Glasgow-based Adura Onashile, this coming of age drama follows 11-year-old Ama and her mother Grace as they take solace in the gentle but isolated world they obsessively create. As Ama grows up, she forces Grace to reckon with the past that she struggles to forget.

The screening starts at 6pm, and will be followed by a Q&A session with Onashile. Book now to avoid disappointment: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/girl-and-qa-with-director-adura-onashile-tickets-1974985712431?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

Please note the age guidance for this film is 12A.

26/02/2026

Yesterday marked Gray Day, the annual day-long celebration of Scottish writer & artist Alasdair Gray's life and work. This year was particularly special, as February 25th marked 45 years since the publication of Gray's landmark novel 'Lanark'.

In Eddie McConnell's short film FACES from 1959, we see a series of characters donning outlandish masks that were actually designed by Gray. Both men were - at the time - studying at the Glasgow School of Art, and we love seeing the beginnings of Gray's trademark fantastical style bleed through into the costuming of this production. 🎭

Watch it for free via our online catalogue: https://movingimage.nls.uk/film/1942

Address

1445 Argyle Street
Glasgow
G38AW

Opening Hours

Tuesday	10am - 5pm
Wednesday	1pm - 8pm
Thursday	10am - 5pm
Friday	10am - 5pm
Saturday	10am - 5pm

Telephone

+441418802329

Website

https://letterboxd.com/nlsmovingimage/, https://movingimage.nls.uk/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when National Library of Scotland at Kelvin Hall posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organisation

Send a message to National Library of Scotland at Kelvin Hall:

Shortcuts

Address
Telephone
Opening Hours
Alerts
Contact The Organisation
Claim ownership or report listing

Want your organisation to be the top-listed Government Service in Glasgow?