THE LIBRARY OF MISTAKES

Opened in March 2014

Background
The library was established in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, to promote the study of the history of financial markets, and to ‘improve financial understanding one mistake at a time’.

Collection
The collection is focused on ‘decision-making under conditions of uncertainty’ in the financial markets, following the work of the Nobel Laureate for economics, Daniel Kahnemann. The library therefore collects works on the business cycles, the operation of financial markets, corporate history (including financial institutions and other businesses) and economic theory and analysis as well as relevant works on accounting practices, corporate governance, economic theory and analysis and on fraud.

The collection is print-based: there is a free guest wi-fi. The catalogue is available online at: https://www.librarything.com/profile/LibraryofMistakes

Building
The library occupies a building in Edinburgh’s New Town, previously a meeting room for brownies and guides, which has been newly adapted for it’s current use.

Contact information
Collections, membership and facilities:
Dr Helen S Williams, Librarian
33a Melville Street Lane, Edinburgh, EH3 7QB
email: librarian@libraryofmistakes.com

Room hire, membership, facilities:
Russell Napier, Keeper
email: keeper@libraryofmistakes.com

Membership/Opening Hours/Access
Membership is free: sign up through www.libraryofmistakes.com/visit to make an appointment.

Members receive invitations to lectures which are made available online afterwards. The library can also be hired for events: contact the Keeper.

Open 9-5.30 Monday to Saturday excluding Bank Holidays. The library is generally unstaffed. .

The library is on the ground floor with a ramp to the door. Some of the collection is shelved on the mezzanine: there is no lift. The door is opened remotely.

Website
www.libraryofmistakes.com

Status
Scottish Charity no: 040205