This is a past event
The Library doors are open to all today. Drop in and see what you can FIND! The theme of our Doors Open Day this year is "FINDS". We're celebrating Doors Open Day and Scottish Archaeology Month with a FINDS DAY that includes special guests, The Treasure Trove Unit, an archaeology-themed Lego Hunt and much more!
What you'll FIND today at the Library!
- Treasure Trove: What have YOU found?
- Collections Close Up: Local Finds from the Archives (Research Room 11am – 1pm)
- Carved Stone Balls: A very local Scottish Archaeology mystery
- Fear & Fascination: Gothic Script and Ancient Egyptian Scarab Seals make-and-take activity
- Lego Trail: Find 13 Lego Archaeological Dig models hidden in the Library and Zoology Museum
- Bookbug, Lego and Crafts: Find out what Old Aberdeen Library has to offer (10.30am-2pm)
Treasure Trove, Aberdeen Finds Day: What have YOU found?
We are delighted to welcome the Treasure Trove Team to this year’s Doors Open Day. Chance discoveries of archaeological artefacts by members of the public have the potential to make a significant contribution to our understanding of Scotland’s past. The role of Treasure Trove is to ensure that finds of cultural significance are protected for the benefit of the nation and preserved in museums across the country.
Do you think you’ve found something of historic interest? Why not bring along your object. A member of the TTU team will be on hand to assess any finds that you may have found and provide advice on what you need to do. To book your timeslot, click on the link.
Fear & Fascination - Gothic Script & Scarab Seals make-and-take activities
Step into a world of Gothic terror in the latest gallery show from University Collections. This acclaimed exhibition explores how Gothic novels used fear to both terrify and excite readers. Sit by the flickering fireside and enjoy a creepy read. Did the eyes in that portrait just move? And what's making that knocking noise? Explore the displays of creepy dolls, spiders, ancient Egyptian scarab beetles, menacing birds and a vampire bat skull. Fear & Fascination: A Gothic Exhibition
Inspired by the Gothic exhibition, we'll be inviting visitors to have a go at creating some Gothic script using quills and ink and making min scarab beetle seals (curses optional).
Old Aberdeen Library (Bookbug 10.30-11:00, Activities 11:00-14:00)
Come along and find out about the public library inside the University Library! You can browse the shelves, find out how to join and take part in fun craft activities. There will be a Bookbug session at 10.30 (booking required as places as limited). Bookbug booking link
About the Library building
The Sir Duncan Rice Library was opened in September 2012. Designed by Danish architects Schmidt Hammer Lassen, this award-winning building is an iconic architectural landmark of Northeast Scotland. It is the University’s main library, with seven floors for use by students, staff and others. The University Collections Research Room is located on the lower ground floor, providing access to rare books, manuscripts and archives. The ground floor is a welcoming space, open to all, with a café, the University Collections exhibition gallery and branch of Aberdeen city libraries.
Free Parking
The University car parks at the Sir Duncan Rice Library and Zoology Building are free to use by any visitor on Saturday 6th September.
The Zoology Museum is also open today!
Doors Open Day 2025: Visit the Zoology Museum
- Hosted by
- University Collections
- Venue
- The Sir Duncan Rice Library
- Contact
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If you would like more information you can contact us at uoacollections@abdn.ac.uk