About Us

Welcome to Edinburgh City Libraries and Information Services, a public library service funded by the City of Edinburgh Council. We offer a wide range of resources and services to all who live, work or study in Edinburgh. Visitors to the city can also make use of many of the services.

You can reach our services through a network of the Central library and 25 branch libraries, or, increasingly, just a mouse click from the comfort of your own home.

If you can’t come to the library, we try to bring it to you via five mobile libraries or a housebound service; in some cases we may be able to transport you to your nearest library under the ‘Library Link’ scheme.

As well as a wide range of books and audio-visual items, we can offer you:

• Free public access computers in 26 locations
• Friendly and stimulating reading groups
• A lively programme of events and promotions for children and young people
• Wide-ranging collections of music CDs and DVDs
• Free access to an exciting range of online resources
• Large print and audio-books
• Interpretation and Translation Services; also stock in community languages
• Special collections for Fine Art, Music, the City of Edinburgh and all things Scottish.

Founded in 1890, Edinburgh City Libraries and Information Services is as active as ever, issuing over 3 million books and recording over 3 million visits in 2005/06.

More information is available under Key Facts or Management rules.