Launch of World War I hub at Edinburgh Central Library

The UK's first World War I history hub has opened at Edinburgh Central Library.

The UK's first World War I history hub has been officially opened at Edinburgh Central Library by culture convenor councillor Richard Lewis. The new facility is the product of years of work between Edinburgh City Libraries and the University of Edinburgh and promises a 'visually stimulating, dedicated space where the history of Scotland's contribution to WW1 can be brought alive for all generations'.

The main focus of the Hub will be to run workshops and seminars, and carry out military and diaspora genealogy research. Additionally, cultural programmes such as poetry, art and music from 1914 to 1918 will be available to the public.

The hub is part of the Edinburgh's War Project which launched in 2009 to create a virtual history archive, using the resources of Edinburgh City Libraries, the Centre for the Study of the Two World Wars and the University of Edinburgh. The project comprises memories of the home front, fighting forces, casualties, wartime people, industry & commerce, sport and remembrance and memories. Find out more about the World War One History Hub and the war project at the University of Edinburgh website.

Edinburgh Central Library, 7-9 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EG; tel: 0131 242 8000.

World War I in Scotland timeline

• August 1914 - World War I declared with a call to arms
• September 1915 - Scottish troops involved in fierce fighting at the Battle of Loos
• April 1916 - Zeppelin raids on Edinburgh
• October 1917 - First veterans' housing settlement
• November 1918 - Armistice declared

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