Jennifer Findlay

@jenniferfindlay

Delegated my memory to the internet long ago. Kindness is cool. Scotland's Library and Information Professional of the Year 2023. All views my own. She/her. Trans rights are human rights. Greatest achievement: using up an entire lip balm.

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Jennifer Findlay@jenniferfindlay· 1d

What was going on in Parliament House in 1703? Were people selling butter illegally?

Screenshot of an NRS record entry which says "Creamers of Parliament House vs Keepers of Parliament House : Decreet"

Jennifer Findlay@jenniferfindlay· 5d

A nice handful of Stevenson bottle stoppers for the collection. Fun wee Donoghue v Stevenson case (AKA the Paisley Snail) related items!

Three bottle stoppers for glass bottles from various eras. Each stopper is different, with one having raised text saying "Stevenson Paisley, estd 70 years", another having depressed text saying the same thing, and a other saying "D. Stevenson Paisley, Glen Lane"

Jennifer Findlay@jenniferfindlay· 5d

I found this on a chair in a library we were helping out in, and it spoke to me...

White woman with silver hair and glasses mostlyhiding her face behind an A4 size sign. The sign says in caps "PLEASE DO NOT USE! I AM VERY OLD AND FRAGILE!" It then says "Thank you" in lwler case.

Jennifer Findlay@jenniferfindlay· 16d

Ah yes, thanks Word, for helping me out with the well known issues of...which persecution.

Screenshot of a line in a document which says "and began an era of witch persecution". The word 'witch' is highlighted, and below it Word is suggesting that the proper word to be used in this line is "which", giving the sentence "and began an era of which persecution"

Jennifer Findlay@jenniferfindlay· 21d

Ah yes, women getting to have equal rights with men has absolutely led to the complete collapse of society now. Clearly. *sigh* Source: Edinburgh Evening News, 17 March 1950, 6

Screenshot of a newspaper headline. It says "Lord Lyon and the Lessons of History: Scotland's most ancient tribunal, the Court of Lord Lyon King of Arms, believes that some modern ideas of sex equality are dangerous, that they may lead to the downfall of society, and that those who advocate them forget the lessons of history."

Screenshot of newspaper text which says that women having equal standing in a family will lead to the break up of marriages.

Jennifer Findlay@jenniferfindlay· 26d

I'm just a girl, standing in front of Trove's website (again), asking it to explain to why me trying to search it to research the site of the old Inverness court and prison was such an outrageous thing?

Screenshot of the text "blocked by Front Door", shown by the Trove website because I made the outrageous move of trying to search the holdings on the site. Which is the purpose of the site.

Jennifer Findlay@jenniferfindlay· 27d

It's BOOK LAUNCH TIME!!

An empty stage waiting for speakers, with the image of the cover of With My Own Hand by Ashley Douglas projected on the wall behind

Jennifer Findlay@jenniferfindlay· 27d

Look! @ashleydouglas.bsky.social fabulous new book about Scotland's 16th century Sappho, Marie Maitland! If you want some Scots political and social history, some Scots-language romance and some heartbreak, she's got ya covered!

Cover of the book "With My Own Hand" by Ashley Douglas, held up in front of a shelf of law books.

Jennifer Findlay@jenniferfindlay· Jul 8

Playing peek-a-boo with St Giles.

St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh, seen through the arch of the colonnade of a neighbouring building.

Jennifer Findlay@jenniferfindlay· Jun 30

Ah, apologies. It was actually described as being not 'of good quality' - I mixed up the crumbly element in my head from another paper. This is the Edinburgh Evening News - Tuesday 27 August 1935, p6

Jennifer Findlay@jenniferfindlay· Jun 23

A salesperson at HMRC? What are they selling? The best of all possible taxes?

Jennifer Findlay@jenniferfindlay· Jun 3

Alternate timeline Charles Dickens. catalogue.nrscotland.gov.uk/nrsonlinecat...

Screenshot of a National Records of Scotland entry. It says: "Charles Dickens sentenced to 60 days imprisonment for contravening the Glasgow Police (Further Powers) Act 1892 on 21 July 1897 at Glasgow Police Court. Previous convictions include theft and wounding with intent to murder for which he received penal servitude for life. Dickens was released on licence on 22 April 1886 which was revoked on 7 October 1897. He was released on 13 July 1900 and was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment at Glasgow Sheriff Court on 24 September 1900 for attempted house breaking. Dickens died on 10 February 1905 in Barnhill Poorhouse."

Jennifer Findlay@jenniferfindlay· May 15

So on Friday 7th August we're all heading to South Queensferry to see the Burryman, right? en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bur... Image from: www.instagram.com/p/DNGY7PLsHNG/

A mans head with only the eyes and lips showing through a totally enclosing heavy mass of burrs and flowers.

Jennifer Findlay@jenniferfindlay· May 13

IT'S HERE!!! This is very exciting @sarasheridan.bsky.social !

Photo of a hand holding a copy of The Jewel Keepers by Sara Sheridan

Jennifer Findlay@jenniferfindlay· May 13

It's coming!!!

Screenshot of a Royal Mail delivery estimate for a book delivery, scheduled for between 12.20 and 3.20 today.

Jennifer Findlay@jenniferfindlay· May 11

Excitedly tracking my @sarasheridan.bsky.social preorder's travels...

Screenshot of a book order for "The Jewel Keepers" by Sara Sheridan which should arrive on Wednesday.

Jennifer Findlay@jenniferfindlay· May 11

Well, I never knew that judges did THAT to criminals...

Screenshot of auto-identifed old newspaper text. In this case it's created an alleged sentence which reads "Touchstones of old clays is presented by the awe-inspiring black cap which the judge puts on bighead when be proceeds to piss the death sentence sin the convict criminal in the dock. This cap, though only used in"

Jennifer Findlay@jenniferfindlay· May 11

Very happy to have received the runner up prize for the William Anderson Memorial Essay, for my essay on the history of markers of John Knox's grave. I think John approves too! Thanks to the staff and judging panel of @edinburghlibraries.bsky.social and @oldedinburghclub.bsky.social ❤️

A bouquet of pink tulip flowers held in a hand which is also holding a red gift envelope. The bouquet and envelope is held up in front of the grave marker of John Knox in Parliament Square, Edinburgh.

Jennifer Findlay@jenniferfindlay· May 4

An historic Strict Scots Librarian's Motto.

Scots text from 1635. It relates to the newly appointed Keeper of the Library, and is one of a number of rules he is to follow. It says (in English): "Item: he shall not loan any of the books to any person whatsoever nor suffer any of them to be transported furth of the said library for any time, short or long."
In Scots it says "Item: he sall not len anie of the booked to anye persone quhatsumevir nor suffer anye of theme to be transported furth of the said librarie for any tyme schort or lang."

Jennifer Findlay@jenniferfindlay· Apr 10

A snazzy Edinburgh city crest on a book cover.

The crest of the city of Edinburgh embossed in gold on a red book cover. It shows three towers within a shield shape - the towers represent Edinburgh. To the left is a maiden, as Edinburgh Castle was (allegedly) referred to as the Castle of Maidens due to its role in giving shelter in times of war. To the right is a hind or female deer, the symbol of St Giles who is the city's patron saint.

Jennifer Findlay@jenniferfindlay· Apr 2

What a lovely result! Thank you, and congratulations on having the perfect book to answer this! There's a George M. Gibb who's assistant minister of...something...in the 1901 census, so it may have been passed between them, or left in a shared church/building. I do love a bit of a history dig!

George M. Gibb shown on 1901 census with his occupation listed as " Assistant minister of edinburgh m manage u t"

Jennifer Findlay@jenniferfindlay· Apr 1

I suspect George M. Gibb was the owner before him then, if he had this 1893 printed book in '94 😁

Front corner of a book that says "George M. Gibb /94”

Jennifer Findlay@jenniferfindlay· Apr 1

I suppose the issue is inability to tell the colour of the cords. Also, enjoying the 'Pope at a rodeo' vibe of this picture: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cappell...

Jennifer Findlay@jenniferfindlay· Apr 1

And a nice spine too today (on a different addition)

Book spine showing a helmet from armour and a bishops mitre with a crossed crook and speak in the background.

Jennifer Findlay@jenniferfindlay· Apr 1

Someone put a lot of effort into their snazzy bookplate. No idea who though!

Bookplate involving various crests, rope, and a hat. At the top it says "EX LIBRIS R. S. W." and at the bottom it says "CONFIDITE".

Jennifer Findlay@jenniferfindlay· Mar 28

The pole position turns this into an accidentally legal-themed shop.

Shop front of ISLANDER, but with a lamppost pole in front of the letter I it looks like SLANDER.

Jennifer Findlay@jenniferfindlay· Mar 25

My copy of Feminist Librarianship by the amazing @cilipscotland.bsky.social team: arriving tomorrow daytime Me: in the office tomorrow daytime, before going to the launch in the evening. The delivery timing sucks! 😭

Screenshot of Royal Mail delivery information, showing that a preordered book wil be delivered between 12.20 and 3.20 tomorrow.

Jennifer Findlay@jenniferfindlay· Mar 17

A follow up on this: men were knitting in the House of Commons before women were even entitled to sit in it. Good work, Mr Cathcart Wason (whose life/career is quite a thing in itslef: teara.govt.nz/en/biographi...)

Screenshot of a news article from The Orkney Herald, Wednesday 16th February 1921 It says: "Knitting in the Jury Box
A woman juror in the King's Bench Division on Monday engaged in knitting during the hearing of evidence. No objection was taken to her occupation. Women's ears and minds can be busy enough, and even their eyes may be given to other objects while they knit. What was seen in Court on Monday (says the London corresponent of the Aberdeen Free Press) may be seen by-and-by in Parliament. Mr Cathcart Wason used to knit in a room of the House of Commons. He never did so in the House itself. Here, however, we may see the process when Lady Astor is followed by more women members. If so, what will the Speaker do?"

Jennifer Findlay@jenniferfindlay· Mar 12

Women: perfectly equipped to do multiple jobs efficiently in the legal sector since 1921.

Screenshot of a newspaper report from the Falkirk Herald, Wednesday 9 February 1921, p3.
"JURYWOMAN AND HER KNITTING.— During the proceedings in a London libel action one of the women jurors took out her knitting, and proceeded to occupy herself with it while listening to the evidence. None of the counsel engaged made any comment on this innovation. The Judge, if he noticed, made no observation with regard to the juror’s occupation."

Jennifer Findlay@jenniferfindlay· Feb 23

Also: yes, that's a gavel in my hands. I bought it specifically cos I'm a pedantic wee so and so, and because it'd be the only gavel in the Scottish courts (British courtrooms don't use gavels).