Initially described as ‘re-imagining of the Royal Scottish Academy Library’ this collaborative project with the artist and RSA Academician, Fiona Dean, began development in September 2025, with a programme of outputs and events taking place over the coming 16 months.

Fiona Dean is the first female elected librarian in the 200 year history of the RSA.

Following a review of and visits to the RSA library by myself and Fiona, 'A Personal Library' responds to gaps identified within the RSA library collection and an attempt to make a cultural shift in its shape and content. Firstly, a perceived lack of gender representation within the shelves of the library and secondly a lack of agency in terms of academicians determining which books get donated and why (this usually happens after the death of the Academicians and is decided by the members family/friends). We have currently tasked a RSA Archives volunteer to go through the RSA library catalogue to identify how many publications within the library are written by, or about women, or have been donated by a woman. This exercise will give us quantitive data that the RSA currently doesn't hold, and give us new and sound research around which to build and shape the project.

The aim of this reparative project is to realise a new and evolving member generated ‘collection' of books that finds form in several ways: as a printed book list and text work that uses a feminist classification scheme; as an online catalogue that has a permanent location on the RSA website; and as a reading/gathering event where the public are invited to hear members talk about their choices.

At its core will be the listing of 1-3 selected books chosen by individual RSA members from their personal library - book/s that matter most; that you return to most often; books that have shaped/impacted individuals’ creative work and lives; titles that help to address the lack of books written by or about women within the library. The invitation will be to all elected Academicians and Honorary Academicians, approx 200 in total.

Housed in Granton, Edinburgh, the RSA Library holds a collection of over 6,000 books and journals relevant to the RSA's work and history, with an emphasis on material that relates to RSA projects, research and events programme.

We are in conversation with the typeface designer Imogen Ayres from MobelType about designing a font specifically for A Personal Library and Gilian Stewart at JuJu Books about the form for the related printed material produced throughout the project.

• https://www.royalscottishacademy.org/col...