But its story is also a complex one. The achievements of the scholars cannot be separated from the circumstances in which they took place. Their research was carried out during a military occupation and formed part of a wider European imperial project.

Our copy - acquired in 1831 - is complete with its own bespoke wooden case. Its pages helped establish modern Egyptology and sparked a centuries-long fascination with ancient Egypt.

Born from Napoleon's invasion of Egypt, the work brought together the research of hundreds of scholars, artists and engineers. Around 400 engravers worked for two decades creating the copper plates used to print its pages. At the time, it was the largest printed work ever produced.

Standing more than a metre tall and filled with illustrations, 'Description de l'Égypte' is one of the most ambitious books ever produced 📖 Published in Paris between 1809 and 1822, it attempted to record Egypt's landscapes, ancient monuments, wildlife, culture and people in detail.

Fun fact: our colleagues at the National Museums of Scotland have Dororthy's original computer, with the 8" drive!

We've recently found a drive that might work, but it's still undergoing testing before we can use it. We're always looking for leads on drives to help us read storage systems like this.

Fife! One Hundred Voices is landing in Glenrothes at Rothes Halls tomorrow, marking the final stop on the tour. Take a look at some lovely comments we've had from audiences so far 🥰

Deciding what is worth keeping is a question for all of us, and it’s one our staff are tackling head-on. Find out more about our born digital archives in our Treasures exhibition.

Choosing what to save on a floppy disc was a deliberate act. Today, cloud storage feels limitless, but what does that mean for the stories we choose to tell? And will future generations even be able to read the formats we use today?

Our born digital archives contain lives captured on all of these, from Dorothy Dunnett’s 8” discs to James Kelman’s 3.5” floppies and Kathleen Jamie’s USB drives.

How do we save our stories when the format keeps changing? 💾 From the 8-inch floppy discs of the 1970s - once costing a fortune in computer terms - to the ubiquitous USB drive, the way we store our memories has transformed.

And while you're here, have a wander. We've got short reads to browse, a Dolly Parton display, Peter Liversidge's artwork, and an exhibition on the humble paperback. Come for six minutes. Stay for an hour. We won't judge. 📅 Wednesday, 7 October 📌 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh 🎟️ Free, drop-in

Did you know that reading for just six minutes can reduce stress? 📖 Join us for the Wee Read this Wednesday! Drop in to hear six minutes of a book read by Library staff in our Rain exhibition. Readings every hour from 10:30am to 4:30pm.

Students can explore historic treasures from our collections, learn about conservation, discover the history of our buildings, and practise independent study in our Discovery Room.

Happy World Teacher Day! 🍎 From online workshops that guide Advanced Higher students through using our catalogue for their dissertations, to self-guided visits and staff-led tours, we offer a range of ways to bring the Library into your classroom - or your classroom into the Library.