
	Guide to Edinburgh

LOCATION:

Home | Edinburgh | Go Libraries in Edinburgh

GO Libraries in Edinburgh

Edinburgh’s network of more than 100 public and academic libraries boasts a broad range of materials to skim or scrutinize.

The National Library of Scotland [map] is one of the key institutions as it the country’s only copyright deposit library, which means that a copy of every book published in Britain must be held there. Founded in 1925 it also holds a number of important historic items including the last letter by Mary, Queen of Scots (1547).

On the opposite side of the same street in the city’s Old Town is Edinburgh’s Central Library [map]. Built in 1890 the French Renaissance style building is 12-storey’s high and houses books for general lending as well as a number of special collections.

The Edinburgh Room is where one of these special collections is held. Browsing the large amount of material about Edinburgh’s past and present in this reference only section will give you an insight into the capital through maps, illustrations, cuttings and more.

Central Library also boasts a fine art library, a music library and a learning centre with free Internet access.

Founded in 1984, Edinburgh is also home to the Scottish Poetry Library [map] . Their Canongate location is home to a huge collection of contemporary, world and children’s poetry and allows postal borrowing at 50p per item.

So whether you’re looking to flesh out the family tree, brush up on your knowledge of Tartan, update on your architecture facts or impress your friends by waxing lyrical, Edinburgh’s libraries should be able to help.

If you want to comment on our choices or recommend somewhere, why not use our What You Recommend form to let us know.

Organisation:	National Library of Scotland
Address:	George IV Bridge Edinburgh EH1 1EW Scotland, UK
Telephone:	+44 (0)131-226 4531
Opening Hours:	Various opening times for each section
Website:	http://www.nls.uk/

Organisation:	Central Library
Address:	George IV Bridge, Edinburgh, EH1 1EG
Telephone:	0131 242 8000
Opening Hours:	Various opening times for each section
Website:	http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/libraries/

Organisation:	The Scottish Poetry Library
Address:	5 Crichton's Close Canongate Edinburgh EH8 8DT
Telephone:	+44 (0)131 557 2876 +44 (0)131 557 8393
Opening Hours:	Monday to Friday 11.00am - 6.00pm Saturday 1.00pm - 5.00pm
Website:	http://www.spl.org.uk

HOME LINKS

Visiting Edinburgh: UK Home Page Edinburgh Home Page

THE GUIDE

Visitor's Guide Local Business Search Places to Stay Cinema Entertainment Shopping Restaurants & Bars Events City Travel Places of Interest Local News What you Recommend

VISITOR INFORMATION

Tourist Information Health Business Travel Romantic Kids Libraries Universities

GETTING THERE AND AWAY

Bus Train Car & Motorcycle Air