The Main Library is the largest of Edinburgh University's Libraries.

The Main Library holds the primary collections in arts, humanities, social sciences, medicine and informatics.

It also houses the Library's general collections of books and periodicals, older books in all subjects, most of the special collections of rare books and manuscripts, the University archives and the Lothian Health Service Archive.

Updated every five minutes you can see here an indicator of occupancy of the Main Library based upon library entries and exits using anonymized and aggregrated card data recorded at the barriers. See further details about the Main Library Occupancy Traffic Light System data and privacy.

Map: Campus map

https://www.ed.ac.uk/maps/maps?building=main-university-library

Main Library virtual orientation

Staff and students of the University of Edinburgh have full access and borrowing rights. 

NHS Lothian staff can join University of Edinburgh Library as members of the public or apply for other UoE Library membership options if appropriate and on production of the required documentation. Information regarding UoE Library membership is available on the Joining the Library web pages, but please be aware that during exam periods access may be restricted. 

NHS Lothian staff will continue to have access to a wide range of library and information resources and support from the NHS Education for Scotland Knowledge Network (external site)  

Access to the library is also available to other users but please be aware that during exam periods access may be restricted. Please note, that for some external users, the membership application process has changed. Please check up-to-date information on the Joining the Library web pages before visiting any library. 

Covid-19: Please see the University's guidance on hygiene and safety measures when on-campus. The University also promotes the Scottish Government ‘Distance Aware’ scheme and expect all library users to respect those members of our community who are either wearing a lanyard or badge, or request that others keep a distance. 

Distance Aware scheme

Joining the Library

Library opening hours

Main Library accessibility information

You can see the most up-to-date location of the collections using the link below.

Location of collections

Study space is available as a walk up service across the campus with the exception of a small number of bookable study spaces on the 3rd and 5th floors of the Main Library. There are also a number of group study spaces available within the Main Library. Please see the Study Space pages for information and guidance.

Study space

EdHelp Service Desk

Ground Floor 

Please note that  the anonymous report form is no longer available but you may report any problems to the Main Library EdHelp service desk.

Day lockers are available for University of Edinburgh students and staff. Keys will be issued for the day and are to be returned by 9am the next morning. From Monday 3rd October 2022 there will also be lockers which can be rented for the academic year.

Rental lockers

This service operates from 8am to 12 midnight, 7 days a week.

Please visit https://contactscotland-bsl.org for full details.

A guide to Main Library classification schemes and shelfmarks

Brief guide to location of collections in Main Library

Main Library floor plan: lower ground floor

Main Library floor plan: ground floor

Main Library floor plan: 1st floor

Main Library floor plan: 2nd floor

Main Library floor plan: 3rd floor

Main Library floor plan: 4th floor