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Edinburgh Libraries

See also Libraries outwith Edinburgh.
 

Other libraries in Edinburgh may give access to print books, journals and other materials not held in Heriot-Watt University, though access to their subscribed electronic resources may be restricted.  It may sometimes be easier to use these libraries instead of our Inter Library Loan Service.

We belong to a number of co-operative arrangements, which mean that Heriot-Watt staff and students can have access to the collections and services of these Libraries. Detailed information on access arrangements is available for the following Edinburgh libraries:

Information about over 140 Libraries in Edinburgh is contained in the Guide to Edinburgh Libraries: information on over 140 libraries and information centres in Edinburgh

Heriot-Watt is a founder member of the Edinburgh Libraries Passport scheme, which gives reference access to over 20 libraries in the city.
 

National Library of Scotland

The National Library of Scotland receives, on legal deposit, a copy of almost all books and periodicals published in the UK, plus many published abroad. The Library is open for reference only (i.e. its stock cannot be borrowed). It has reading rooms in two buildings: George IV Bridge Building, and Causewayside Building.

The NLS catalogues can be accessed here.

Edinburgh University Libraries

Edinburgh University Library has several locations. The Main Library holds the primary collections in arts, humanities, social sciences, medicine and informatics. Most science and engineering subjects are covered by libraries at King's Buildings, off West Mains Road. These include: James Clerk Maxwell Library - mathematics, meteorology, physics and statistics; Darwin Library - biological sciences and chemistry; Robertson Engineering & Science Library - engineering and geology.  In addition, Moray House Library in St John Street contains material covering education, sport and recreation.  Other libraries contain material on divinity, veterinary studies, law and other topics. There is also a number of departmental libraries in Edinburgh University where access is only available to staff and students of that department, but not to members of other institutions.
 

The EU catalogue can be accessed here.

  • Teaching and research staff may register as borrowers on production of a SCONUL Access card* and a Heriot-Watt Library/ID Card. 
  • PhD Students may register as borrowers, on production of a SCONUL Access card* and a Heriot-Watt ID Card. 
  • Students on Masters & postgraduate Diploma courses may register as borrowers, on production of a SCONUL Access card& and a Heriot-Watt ID Card.      
  • Undergraduate Students may use the Library for reference only, on production of a SCONUL Access card* and a Heriot-Watt ID Card.     

*SCONUL Access Cards are available from the Riccarton and Scottish Borders College Library Service Desks.

 

Edinburgh Napier University Library

Edinburgh Napier University Library has 7 locations, including: Merchiston Library - art and design, digital & lens media, the built environment, engineering & computing, information management, life sciences, and social sciences; and Craiglockhart Library - accounting and finance, economics, hospitality and tourism, languages, law, management, marketing, mathematics and statistics. Here is their Library Catalogue.
  • Teaching and research staff may register as borrowers, on production of a SCONUL Access card* and a Heriot-Watt Library/ID Card. 
  • PhD Students may register as borrowers, on production of a SCONUL Access card* and a Heriot-Watt ID Card. 
  • Students on Masters & postgraduate Diploma courses may register as borrowers, on production of a SCONUL Access card* and a Heriot-Watt ID Card.    
  • Undergraduate Students may use the Library for reference only, on production of a SCONUL Access card* and a Heriot-Watt ID Card. 

*SCONUL Access Cards are available from the Riccarton and Scottish Borders College Library Service Desks.  
 

Queen Margaret University Library

The Queen Margaret University Library houses material for courses taught in its four Schools of Business, Enterprise and Management; Drama and Creative Industries; Health Sciences; School of Social Sciences, Media and Communication.


The QMU catalogue can be accessed here.

  • Teaching and research staff may register as borrowers, on production of a SCONUL Access card* and a Heriot-Watt Library/ID Card.  
  • PhD Students may register as borrowers, on production of a SCONUL Access card* and a Heriot-Watt ID Card. 
  • Students on Masters & postgraduate Diploma courses may register as borrowers, on production of a SCONUL Access card* and a Heriot-Watt ID Card.  
  • Undergraduate Students may use the Library for reference only, on production of a SCONUL Access card* and a Heriot-Watt ID Card.    

*SCONUL Access Cards are available from the Riccarton and Scottish Borders College Library Service Desks. 

 

Edinburgh College of Art Library

Edinburgh College of Art Library contains material on fine arts, most aspects of design and photography, architecture, landscape architecture, interior design and furniture, film, theatre studies, and social sciences and cultural studies.

The ECA catalogue can be accessed here.
  • Staff and students of Heriot-Watt University may register with the College's Library Service and borrow from the College Library as part of a reciprocal arrangement. Note that some material (e.g. Short loan books, DVDs and videocassettes) can only be borrowed by staff and students of the College of Art. You will be required to show your University ID card in order to register as a borrower.
     

Edinburgh City Libraries

Edinburgh City Libraries has branches throughout the city, and a large reference library, with specialised art, music, Edinburgh and Scottish sections in George IV Bridge.

The ECL catalogue can be accessed here.
  • Membership is available to all who live, work or study in Edinburgh. Registration is available at any library on production of evidence of name and address.
     

SCONUL Access

The Library is a member of the SCONUL Access scheme, a reciprocal service offered by over 170 HE institutions in the UK and Ireland.  The scheme gives Heriot-Watt staff and students access to all participating libraries on the following basis:
 

Access for borrowing

Staff
Postgraduates
Students on Distance Learning courses
Part-time students
Students on placements

You may register to borrow at any participating library on production of a SCONUL Access card and your Heriot-Watt University ID/Library Card.  You can obtain a SCONUL Access card from the Riccarton or Scottish Borders Campus Library Service Desks after completing a simple registration form.  More information is available from the co-ordinator of the scheme at Heriot-Watt, Jill Gallacher. 

Access for reference only

Full-time undergraduate students

You will be given reference-only access to any participating library on production of a SCONUL Access card and your Heriot-Watt University ID/Library Card.  You can obtain a SCONUL Access card from the Riccarton or Scottish Borders Campus Library Service Desks after completing a simple registration form.

More information is available from the co-ordinator of the scheme at Heriot-Watt, Jill Gallacher.   Full details of the scheme, including a list of member libraries and online application, will be available on the SCONUL Access website early in 2013.

 

Edinburgh Libraries Passport

Heriot-Watt University Library is a founder member of the Edinburgh Libraries Passport scheme, administered by the Edinburgh Libraries & Information Services Agency (ELISA).  This is a co-operative venture of over 20 libraries in the city to improve access to library resources and services to all who live, work or study in Edinburgh.  All libraries issuing the Passport offer reference-only access to their collections to all authorised members of every participating library.  Members range from large academic and research libraries to very specialised information services.  Obtaining a Passport is simple - complete a form at the Service Desk and our staff will issue you with a Passport.  You then simply show this Passport at any member library which you wish to visit, and you will be admitted with minimum (or no) formalities.