Entered through a former mews on the SE side of Melville Street Lane in the W of Edinburgh's New Town, the Library of Mistakes is somewhat of a curiosity - a public library dedicated to financial history education through studying the mistakes, crashes, schemes and frauds that have befallen the world of business and finance over hundreds of years, and how the financial community can learn from them. Established in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, the library was opened in its current location in 2022 by former Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling (b. 1953). A registered charity, supported by several of the organisations prominent in Edinburgh's financial services community, the library contains more than 5000 volumes and a number of artefacts, with visitors guided by a resident librarian. There is also a regular programme of talks and courses.
The building was added to the rear of the A-listed 33 Melville Street in 1963, which was built in c. 1820 and was owned by the City of Edinburgh Girl Guides since 1929. The entire building was sold in 2021, with the library location rented from the new owners, an investment management company.
