Edinburgh Central Library

Beautiful, well-loved library in the heart of Edinburgh. I’m a tourist librarian and love to visit libraries wherever I go. This one has friendly staff, beautiful spaces , and fascinating collections. I am also studying family history and this library has an extensive military record collection. If you’re a fan of the mystery book sculptures gifted around Scotland- they have the largest of the sculptures on display.

It's so nice to see all the locals in their neighbourhood library. Edinburg may be a tourist destination, but there are still many things that make it feel like a small town.

It is just perfect. This is a very big library containing different parts such as mucis library, art library or childeren library. It is open to piblic and there are many interesting books. The study areas are also very nice and cozy. Definitely recomment to see it.

I required a nice, quiet place where I could focus and get some office work done. This is an ideal place for it since the entry is free for public and a lot of people were working on their laptops, seated in these study tables inside the Reference Room upstairs. I'm not really an avid reader, but the collection they had up there piqued my interest a bit - so while taking break from work, I picked up 2 books and read a bit of 'The Icelandic Family Saga' and Textbook of Psychiatry (by Oxford)

Cafe staff ignored me while others cut the queue. Then the 2 people Manning the cafe serving 1 person at a time but when I get finally to be served one rush off to serve the next person. Why? Is it racism or discrimination? I won't name them or describe them so as not to cause trouble for them but it was a very poor show.

Great library. Haven’t really used one properly in decades, and working here brings back strong reminiscence of the childhood in the 90s, although this is obviously much grander. Used it a lot while staying around the corner for a few months. Turns out that Edinburgh council haven’t upgraded the internet in Old Town since my last public library visit. But the reference library here is a great (and quiet) place to work, with stunning ambience courtesy of Mr Carnegie. It has something of a college library feel (as well as ~100MBs). It appears that many people agree as it is often about half full. The main library has plenty of books to whet the appetite and the staff are super friendly and helpful. Don’t get caught out by the opening times (in one of the pics), as I spent a couple of mornings waiting outside w alongside other keen beans. It also runs a range of events (see other pic) NB the Scottish Coworking Network room has yet to be reopened after COVID, but the reference library is more than sufficient and also has printers and desktops for those that need it. The library

Excellent library open to the general public. A great collection of books all very well organized and available for consultation and reading. The setting is very peaceful and great to focus on for a good read. The service is very friendly, inspiring to everyone. Great.

Enormous amazing beautiful library. The library has the whole building and there are loads of interesting rooms to explore like the art library and the reference library. Also it has a card index and strict notes inside some of the books. Bibliophile heaven.