This timeline of everything features key moments in Central Library, Edinburgh’s history, from its inception to its current parlous state precipitated by City of Edinburgh Council’s consented India Buildings hotel development and its new-build high-rise block located on Cowgate common good land, just 5m from the library’s west elevation of windows designed for daylighting all three floors of public rooms within the building.

The timeline of everything is divided into three sections:

1. Historical background from 1886
2. City of Edinburgh Council’s documentation regarding the library
3. Published articles concerning Central Library, Edinburgh and the Let There Be Light campaign

3 – Press coverage (with commentary where appropriate)

Central Library petition to be considered by council

https://www.theedinburghreporter.co.uk/2018/12/central-library-petition-to-be-considered-by-council/

9 December 2018, Phyllis Stephen, Edinburgh Reporter

Virgin Hotel developers told to ensure natural light can enter library

https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/virgin-hotel-developers-told-to-ensure-natural-light-can-enter-library-1-4809562

4 October 2018, David Bol, Edinburgh Evening News (EEN)

WHO NEEDS LIGHT?

https://www.scottishreviewofbooks.org/2018/06/who-needs-light/

2 June 2018, by David Black, Scottish Review of Books

Protestors vent anger over Virgin’s controversial Old Town hotel

https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/business/protestors-vent-anger-over-virgin-s-controversial-old-town-hotel-1-4748115

31 May 2018, by David Bol, EEN

‘Money motivated ideas’ like Virgin Hotel are destroying Edinburgh say campaigners

https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/money-motivated-ideas-like-virgin-hotel-are-destroying-edinburgh-say-campaigners-1-4746921

30 May 2018, by Kieran Murray, EEN

Campaign calls for Edinburgh’s Virgin Hotel to be scrapped

https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/entertainment/campaign-calls-for-edinburgh-s-virgin-hotel-to-be-scrapped-1-4745725

28 May 2018, Ian Swanson, EEN

Monopoly Edinburgh – Selling a City

https://bellacaledonia.org.uk/2018/05/28/monopoly-edinburgh-selling-a-city/

28 May 2018, by Mike Small, Bella Caledonia

Mike Small’s article also features a weblink to a .pdf of Carnegie’s Legacy, in Letters to the Editor, The Times signed by 19 notable literary, arts and academic figures including Professor Sir Tom Devine, Rory Bremner, Jackie Kay – Scottish Poet Laureate, Ian Rankin, Val McDermid, A L Kennedy and Alexander McCall Smith, also endorsed (albeit too late for publication) by Margaret Atwood – First Muriel Spark Fellow, urging:

“Edinburgh council to revoke this consent under Article 65 of the applicable planning legislation. Our libraries are precious cultural assets that must be cherished and passed on to future generations”

Virgin hotel that overshadows central library is a betrayal, say Scots writers

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/virgin-hotel-that-overshadows-central-library-is-a-betrayal-say-scots-writers-w0jbmnmpv

26 May 2018, by Mike Wade, The Times Scotland

Brian Donaldson: Virgin hotel will attract global tourists to Edinburgh

https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/opinion/brian-donaldson-virgin-hotel-will-attract-global-tourists-to-edinburgh-1-4703022

12 May 2018, by Brian Donaldson, Partner in charge of Scotland at Thomas & Adamson, EEN

Edinburgh firm to project manage city’s Virgin Hotel development

https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/our-region/edinburgh/edinburgh-firm-to-project-manage-city-s-virgin-hotel-development-1-4701896

7 March 2018, by Diane King, EEN

Repairs backlog may close parts of Edinburgh’s main library

https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/education/repairs-backlog-may-close-parts-of-edinburgh-s-main-library-1-4701102

6 March 2018, by Ian Swanson, EEN

Edinburgh Central Library: The Coming of the Light

http://eotdt.org/index.php/neighbourhoods/361-edinburgh-central-library-the-coming-of-the-light

5 December 2017, © Ray Burnett. Commissioned by Bella Caledonia.