Consult collections in person
Finding items of interest
You don't need to be a Library member to search our catalogues. But if you find something you want to look at in person, you'll need to join the Library. Take a look at our Collections page to start your search.
Requesting items for consultation
As a reference library, we don't lend books. Most of our collections are kept in storage, so you'll need to become a library member and make a request to see something you're interested in.
You can request items through our catalogues as you search for items.
If you're ever unsure about how to access something you want to see, or you can't find something, get in touch and we can help you.
Main catalogue
There are three steps to requesting through the main catalogue:
Log in to the online system using your email address and password.
Search for your item and follow the link to the catalogue record when you find it.
Use the 'request this item' link in the catalogue record to submit your request.
You'll get an email confirming your request has been sent. If you've ordered a newspaper, journal or a serial item, you'll need to check our collection delivery times to find out when it'll be ready to look at. For everything else, you'll also get an email when the item is ready to view.
Archives and manuscripts
Search for archives and manuscripts using our online catalogue. Select the 'request' icon in a catalogue record to access the form.
Some manuscripts need permission to view—we'll inform you of any restrictions. You'll receive an email after you submit your request and another when the item is ready.
Maps
Find maps in the Library's collections through the main catalogue and the Maps Images website. Request a map through the map request form.
Map viewings take place in the Maps Reading Room by appointment. Book your visit through the self service booking system.
You'll need to put your map request in at least 24 hours before your visit.
Moving Image Archive collections
Films
You can watch thousands of digitised films from home via the Moving Image Archive catalogue. Some films are marked 'onsite only' due to viewing restrictions, meaning you'll need to visit the Library to watch them. If a film is digitised, you can watch it in Glasgow without an appointment. For those that aren't, contact us through the 'Hire, buy or ask a question' button or the online enquiry form to explore viewing options.
Paper archive
The Moving Image Archive's paper archives include records, posters, programmes, scripts, and photos. There are also some reference books. You need to join the Library to use this part of the collection.
To find out what we have:
• Use code GB2120 for a list of archive resources on SCAN
• Browse SCAN 'Participating archives' for 'Scottish Screen Archive'.
Paper archive viewings are by appointment only. Get in touch at movingimage@nls.uk to book your visit.
Collection delivery times
Printed material
We have three deliveries of printed material per day, Monday to Friday in the General Reading Room and the Special Collections Reading Room:
Order by 9am for delivery after 10:15am
Order by 12pm noon for delivery after 1:15pm
Order by 3pm for delivery after 4:15pm
Manuscripts
We have four manuscript deliveries per day, Monday to Friday in the Special Collections Reading Room.
Order by 9:30am for delivery after 10am
Order by 11:30am for delivery after 12pm
Order by 1:30pm for delivery after 2pm
Order by 3:30pm for delivery after 4pm
On Saturdays it is delivered twice:
Order by 9:45am for delivery after 10:30am
Order by 1:45pm for delivery after 2:30pm
Advocates Library material
In the General Reading Room, we receive one delivery of Advocates Library material per day at 2:15pm, Monday to Friday.
Please check with staff for delivery times for Advocates Library items that need to be viewed in our Special Collections Reading Room.
Photographs at 'Phot.' and 'MMK' shelfmark
Please order items with the 'Phot.' and 'MMK' shelfmark by 3pm the day before. They will be delivered by 10am the following day.
Requests made after 3pm on a Friday will not be available until the following Tuesday.
Maps
There is a different process for booking and viewing maps - see requesting maps.
Items with restricted access
For items with restricted access, we need 48 hours' notice. They can't be viewed on a Saturday.
Reading rooms and study spaces
When you're searching for and requesting items, the relevant catalogue will indicate which reading room or location you’ll need to visit to look at them.
Free WiFi is available in all of our study spaces. You can also connect to eduroam if you are eligible.
General Reading Room
You'll use the General Reading Room at George IV Bridge, Edinburgh to consult all post-1850 printed material not dealt with by any of the other specialist reading rooms. This includes books, journals, and newspapers.
As a Library member, you can visit this reading room without making an appointment to work or study on your own device or one of the Library computers.
The reading room is a quiet study space, but you can use the nearby Discovery Room if you'd like to talk or work in a group.
Find out about accessibility at the General Reading Room and Discovery Room
Special Collections Reading Room
Our Special Collections Reading Room at George IV Bridge, Edinburgh is where you can consult music, manuscripts, and rare books (includes books published pre-1851 and all printed books in special collections).
There's also a consultation room with audio equipment and a music keyboard. If you are interested in using this room, get in touch via our online enquiry form.
Find out about accessibility at the Special Collections Reading Room.
Maps Reading Room
Visit the Maps Reading Room at our Causewayside building in Edinburgh to consult maps, atlases, gazetteers, cartographic reference works and periodicals.
You need to be a library member and pre-book your appointment in order to consult material in the Maps Reading Room. You can do this online through our self-service booking system.
Find out about accessibility at the Maps Reading Room
Moving Image Archive at Kelvin Hall, Glasgow
We have viewing rooms with multi-screens for professional viewing of a range of formats including Blu-ray, DVD, VHS and Digibeta. The rooms are various sizes to accommodate different groups. Learn how to request films for viewing
You can watch some of our digitised films and access the Library's eResources on our public computers.
The Moving Image Archive also has a written archives and reference collection. Paper archive viewings are invigilated in a consultation room.
Find out about accessibility at the Moving Image Archive in Glasgow
Virtual reading room
We host online sessions so you can view collection items remotely.
The sessions use visualisers for live, online viewings, supported by Library staff. These sessions can be an alternative if you cannot visit the Library in person.
What you need for a session
To take part in a virtual reading room session, you'll need to join the library (it's free!).
You will need a desktop computer, laptop or large tablet and a stable internet connection. We use Microsoft Teams and Zoom.
Can I view anything I want?
Some material may not be accessible to view if it is too large, fragile or holds content that is restricted due to copyright or data protection. We'll let you know as soon as you contact us with a list of the material you would like to view.
How to book
The service is available Monday to Friday, 10am to 12 noon and 2pm to 4:30pm, subject to staff availability. Requests should be made at least one week in advance to ensure the requested items are available and suitable for an online session.
To book a virtual reading room session, make an online enquiry. Tell us:
What collection material you would you like to look at. Include shelf marks or links to the online catalogue if you can.
When you hope to do this.
If you are unable to visit the reading rooms due to disability, long-term health condition, or caring responsibilities.
Be as specific as possible about what you want to view.
Taking care of the collections
When you arrive
When you visit us to look at a collection item, we have lockers for you to leave your belongings in.
Use the lockers to store the following items for safekeeping:
Outdoor coats and jackets
Wet outer garments and umbrellas
Bags larger than 29cm x 21cm (A4)
Any food or drink items
Items that could harm our materials, such as pens, glue, correction fluid, scissors, sharp tools, staplers, etc.
Lockers at our George IV building in Edinburgh (General and Special Collections Reading Rooms) take a £1 coin. Staff at the café till will give you change if you need it. Lockers at our Maps Reading Room in Edinburgh and at Kelvin Hall in Glasgow have a key and don't require money.
Handling items
To help protect our collection, we have a few guidelines to follow:
Use pencils for writing your notes.
Be mindful not to write on, lean on, mark, or place working papers on top of any Library materials.
Make sure your hands are clean before handling Library items to keep them in the best condition.
Wherever possible, use the book supports provided. We can also offer weighted beads to help hold volumes open.
We'll give you some slips of paper to help you follow lines of text without touching the material.
If you're handling photographic or painted items, we'll provide some gloves for you to wear.
If you notice any defects, damage, or unopened pages, please let staff know.
Following these guidelines allows us to preserve the collections for future generations.
Photocopying
You can photocopy some general collection items and print from microform yourself.
Some things can't be photocopied because they're too fragile. If an item has special handling requirements, we might ask that you use a specific copying process.
Photography
You can take your own photographs of certain items for private study or research using phones or basic cameras. There are restrictions on what can be photographed (such as recent electoral registers, original photographs, and computer screens). Before you can photograph anything, you'll need to ask our staff.
Full details of what can and can't be photographed is explained in the self-service photography terms and guidance 2024 (Word document) (261 KB; 21 pages).
For high-quality reproductions, the Library offers professional imaging services, including digital images, scanned copies, and photographic prints. You can ask us more about these services if you're interested.
Re-using material
See our copyright guide and licensing fees for information about re-using material from the collection.