Over the summer there have been several improvements made to the study environment at Kirkcaldy Campus Library. Perhaps the most noticeable is the addition of the Beveridge Booth at the far end of the library. It features adjustable lighting, phone and laptop charging, in addition to the comfortable workspace.

Why have we named it the Beveridge Booth?

The high-backed seating booth is located at the end of the library closest to Beveridge Park. The park is named after Michael Beveridge, a local industrialist who was a co-founder of the flooring firm Shepherd & Beveridge. Following his death in March 1890, he left a bequest to support a public park and Kirkcaldy’s first free library in Pathhead. Reported in the Fife Free Press as a “most handsome bequest for public purposes”. Beveridge Park was opened by Michael’s widow, Elizabeth on 24th September 1892. Elizabeth continued to support the park and donated the fountain which sits in the formal gardens in 1931.

Beveridge Park – Swans

The Beveridge library connection

Elizabeth was the first member of the public to borrow a book from the Pathhead library established with Michael Beveridge’s bequest. She opened this library in March 1896. She also opened the second free library, in the Adam Smith Memorial Halls, Kirkcaldy alongside Andrew Carnegie in 1899. At the opening Andrew Carnegie spoke of the importance of a free library where you “can find access to the most precious treasure that the world possesses, those stored up in books”. [The Fifeshire Advertiser, 14th October 1899]

Study spaces in Kirkcaldy campus Library

The Kirkcaldy campus library continues to provide access to the treasures stored in books, but we also have some electronic treasures, providing access to databases, journals, and electronic books. There are three laptop docking stations, 12 networked PC’s and 24 laptop loan lockers within the Kirkcaldy Campus Library. The booth is one of several spaces to work. We also have the bookable private ‘Kingdom pod’ for meetings, group working tables, individual workspaces, and a silent study area in the conservatory (the seagulls who like walking on the roof – have yet to fully embrace the concept of a silent workspace). Do you have a favourite study spot in any of our libraries, send us a photo and let us know what you like best about that space.