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Physical Activity Health and Wellbeing: Libraries in Edinburgh

A subject guide for Physical Activity, Health and Wellbeing from Queen Margaret University

Libraries in Edinburgh

As you become more involved in researching your subject area, you may find that you cannot access all the materials you need in the QMU library holdings. The following list gives details of access and opening hours for some of Edinburgh's libraries. For further details on membership contact the particular library.  For other University Libraries, please apply to the following scheme for access at http://www.sconul.ac.uk/sconul-access

Most academic libraries only admit students from other institutions under fairly strict conditions. Please respect these conditions or the service may be withdrawn from all QM members.

Edinburgh Libraries and Information Services

George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EG

Tel: 0131 242 8000

Email:eclis@edinburgh.gov.uk

Access: if you live, work or study in the city full time membership to the public library is free.

Opening hours: There are branch libraries all around Edinburgh. Please check opening hours before visiting.

Services available:

  • Free membership
  • Free books and journals to support your course
  • Books, magazines, CDs & DVDs for your leisure time
  • Free internet, email and PC services
  • Free study spaces
  • Free access to web resources anytime from home at www.edinburgh.gov.uk/electronicresources


Edinburgh College of Art Library

Evolution House, 78 West Port, Edinburgh, EH1 2LE

Tel: 0131 651 5700

DiscoverEd, the Library's discovery platform

Access: falls under the SCONUL Access scheme

Opening hours


Edinburgh University Library

Main Library, George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9LJ

Tel: 0131 650 3409

Email: library@ed.ac.uk

DiscoverEd, the Library's discovery platform

Access: No access for Undergraduate students under the SCONUL Access scheme currently.  Access for other users falls under the SCONUL Access scheme

Opening hours


Moray House Library

Moray House Library (Holyrood), Dalhousie Land, St John Street, Edinburgh, EH8 8AQ

Tel: 0131 651 6193 or 6189

Email: morayhse@staffmail.ed.ac.uk

DiscoverEd, the Library's discovery platform

Access: as for Edinburgh University Library

Opening hours


Western General Hospital Library

Western General Hospital, Crewe Road South, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU

Tel: 0131 537 2299

Email: Western.General.Library@ed.ac.uk

DiscoverEd, the Library's discovery platform

Access: as for Edinburgh University Library

Opening hours


East Lothian Council Libraries

Dunbar Road, Haddington, EH41 3PJ

Tel: 01620 828 200

Email:haddington.library@eastlothian.gov.uk

Library catalogue

Access: if you live, work or study in the East Lothian area full time membership to the public library is free.

Opening hours: There are branch libraries all around East Lothian. Please check opening hours before visiting.


Health Scotland Library

The Priory, Canaan Lane, Edinburgh EH10 4SG

Enquiries: Tel: 0845 912 5442 Textphone: 0131 536 5593

Email: nhs.healthscotland-library@nhs.net

Library Catalogue

Access: open to everyone who lives and works in Scotland

Opening hours

Riccarton, Edinburgh EH14 4AS

Tel: 0131 451 3577

Email: libhelp@hw.ac.uk

Library Catalogue

Access: currently no access to external visitors

Opening hours


Edinburgh Napier University Information Services

Learning Information Services, Craiglockhart Campus, 219 Colinton Road,
Edinburgh EH14 1DJ

Tel: 0131 455 3500

Email: library@napier.ac.uk

Campuses at Craighouse, Merchiston, Sighthill & Craiglockhart. For more details see their campus libraries page .

Library Catalogue

Access: falls under the SCONUL Access scheme

Opening hours


National Library of Scotland

George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EW

Tel: 0131 623 3700

Email: enquiries@nls.ac.uk

Library Catalogues

Access: anyone can join the NLS.  Your library card is valid for 3 years.

Information on how to access the NLS can be found here 

This page will tell you how to get a Library card.

See Access Schemes for more details.