George IV Bridge

You can join the Library in person (it's free!) by going to the Readers' Registration desk on the ground floor.

You can also collect your new library card or renew an old one. You'll need to bring evidence of your identity and address with you so we can issue your card.

Find out more about joining the Library.

We are a reference library so you have to consult material in our reading rooms (or, where available, online). We have two at George IV Bridge.

Find out more about them, including how to pre-order, collect and consult material for each one.

General Reading Room

For journals, newspapers, and most post-1850 printed books not covered by the specialist reading rooms. The Discovery Room is just outside where you can consult microfilms, microfiches and multimedia, and use the group working space. Find out more about the General Reading Room.

Special Collections Reading Room

For manuscripts, music and rare books (pre-1851 printed books and all printed books in special collections). Find out more about the Special Collections Reading Room.

Join the Library

You need to be a member of the Library to pre-order material and access our reading rooms. Join today!

See What’s on for current and upcoming exhibitions, displays, talks and workshops at George IV Bridge.

The main exhibition spaces are on the ground floor and are wheelchair accessible. Staff can provide seating if needed. Find out more about accessibility at George IV Bridge.

Take a break and enjoy refreshments and snacks in our cafe on the ground floor.

You'll find:

• Superior quality Fairtrade coffee and fine teas.
• Fresh sandwiches, snacks and homemade cakes.
• Drinks and snacks to take away.

There's also a computer by the cafe for anyone to use to find online reference material and see material digitised from Library collections.

The gift shop is on the ground floor and sells books, stationery and unique gifts.

You can also browse the shop online.

Bus

Lothian buses 9, 23 and 27 stop outside the National Library of Scotland on George IV Bridge. Visit the Lothian Buses website for further information.

Train

The nearest train station is Edinburgh Waverley and the Library is a 10-15 minute walk away up a steep hill. Plan your journey with Traveline Scotland

Tram

The nearest tram stop is on Princes Street and the Library is a 10 to 15 minute walk up The Mound, which is a steep hill.

Bike

Cycle racks are available on George IV Bridge, Victoria Street and Chambers Street to park your bike.

Car

Off-street parking is available at nearby NCP sites.

Blue-badge-holders can park on the double yellow lines on George IV Bridge. There is also parking for blue-badge-holders 24 hours a day at the top of Victoria Street (south side) opposite the Library.

There are public toilets on all floors, including accessible unisex toilets.

Find out more about our accessible toilets.

You cannot take bags into the reading rooms, so we have wheelchair accessible lockers you can use. Find out more about what you can leave in the lockers.

If you need to take a bag or other equipment with you while you work, speak to a member of staff. We will do what is needed to ensure you can work in the Library.

The locker room has tables and chairs where you can enjoy your own food and drink.

WiFi

Free WiFi is available in all George IV Bridge reading rooms and public areas.

eduroam

If you are visiting from another organisation that uses eduroam, you will be able to use it at the National Library of Scotland too. More information about eduroam

The Contemplation Space is a room on the ground floor and is for everyone. It reflects our guiding principles of creating a welcoming environment for all our visitors. We aim to make the space as accessible as possible.

The room has been set up to be flexible for whoever is using it. It has movable seating and prayer rugs.

Use this space for:

• Praying and holding religious or spiritual contemplation or observance;
• Taking some time out if you're distressed or experiencing sensory overload;
• Breastfeeding, if you prefer a private room.

There are also bathrooms nearby for those who need to wash before praying.

It is located on the ground floor, under the main staircase. Look out for the signs.

Family friendly area

The café on the ground floor has an area with a soft play mat, a selection of children’s books, a chalkboard with chalk, and children’s toys. There is also a tub chair for breastfeeding. 

Baby changing

The baby changing facilities are on the ground floor in the unisex accessible toilet.

Breastfeeding

Feel free to breastfeed in any of our public spaces. You are welcome to use the comfortable chairs provided in the Discovery Room and family-friendly cafe space. You can use the Contemplation Space if you would like a private room to breastfeed.

Reading rooms

The reading rooms are for research and tend to be quiet spaces. If you are bringing babies or very young children in pushchairs, you may prefer the more relaxed Discovery Room.

Find out about children under 16 using the Library.

There are two accessible unisex toilets in the George IV bridge building.

Ground floor

There is an accessible public toilet on the ground floor beside the Library cafe. This can be accessed via an accessible lift at the main entrance.

First floor

There is an accessible public toilet on the first floor. This can be accessed via the main staircase or via a lift located at the end of a short corridor to the left of the foot of the main stair.

Find out more, including dimensions and photos.

Main entrance and ground floor

The main entrance to our George IV Bridge Building has level access from the street outside. A set of stairs or accessible lifts take you to the ground floor.

Upper floors

The first and second floors, which take you up to the reading rooms, are accessible using stairs or lifts.

Subtitles

Videos with sound that are on display in our exhibitions have subtitles.

Fire alarms

In the event of a fire alarm, our fire alarms have flashing lights as well as sound.

Large print

The text throughout our exhibitions is available in large print.

Magnifying sheets

Magnifying sheets are freely available to visitors on a stand directly outside of the Treasures exhibition.

Lighting

The Treasures exhibition space has low lighting.

Evacuation

If you have visual impairment and would like help to leave the building during an emergency evacuation, alert a member of staff.

The Library at George IV Bridge is accessible for wheelchair users and can cater for other access requirements.

We also have a wheelchair available for exhibition visitors who need it.

The locker room has lockers which are accessible to wheelchair users.

We aim to provide the widest possible access to our reading rooms.

As part of this, we provide assistive equipment and technology in each of the reading rooms. Examples include magnifying equipment, adjustable desks and viewing software.

Find out about accessibility and the assistive technology available in the reading rooms.

You can bring assistance and emotional support animals into the building.

We also provide water bowls.

Read our Assistance and emotional support animal policy (Word document) (351 KB; 8 pages) for more information about this.

Blue-badge holders can park on the single and double yellow lines on George IV Bridge.

There is also parking for blue-badge holders 24 hours a day at the top of Victoria Street (south side) opposite the Library.

Check on-street signage for any temporary closures, changes or updates.

Fire alarm

In the event of a fire, the fire alarm will activate. Our fire alarms have flashing lights as well as sound to alert visitors with hearing impairments.

Emergency evacuation

In the case of an evacuation, all visitors inside the Library will be led to safety by Library staff or by a member of the fire brigade.

Find out about our emergency procedures, including evacuation routes from each floor, and how we can help you if you have a medical condition or disability.

Pavement level

Entrance stairs and wheelchair lifts to ground floor. Find out more about stairs and lifts.

Ground floor

Visitor centre with cafe, gift shop, exhibition and event spaces, contemplation space, toilets, lockers and Reader's Registration.

First floor

Discovery Room, General Reading Room, Issue Hall with enquiry, collection and return desk, lifts, security checkpoint and toilets.

Second floor

Special Collections Reading Room and security checkpoint.