Central Library, Edinburgh

Today there are 28 public libraries in Edinburgh but, as the first to open in the Scottish capital, the creation of Central Library was funded with £50,000 by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie.[http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/directory_record/5079/central_library Central Library] City of Edinburgh CouncilEdinburgh Public Libraries 1890–1950, p. 2Armstrong & White, p. 3 At the opening ceremony a telegram from Carnegie was read out stating: "We trust that this Library is to grow in usefulness year after year, and prove one of the most potent agencies for the good of the people for all time to come."

The site selected for the library was the former home of Sir Thomas Hope, 1st Baronet Hope of Craighall, advocate for King Charles I.{{cite news|title=Visitors To The Site Of The Free Library|publisher=Edinburgh Evening News, Midlothian, Scotland|date=23 March 1887|location=Scotland}} The structure, built in 1616, was demolished in March 1887 to make way for the library. The lintel from Hope's home, bearing the carved inscription TECUM HABITA 1616 from the fourth satire of Persius, is preserved above an inner doorway of the library.{{cite book|author1=Rosaline Masson|title=Edinburgh (Illustrations)|date=January 23, 2015|publisher=Adam and Charles Black|location=Scotland|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nkFYBgAAQBAJ&q=Sir+thomas+hope+edinburgh+library&pg=PT29|access-date=13 July 2017|chapter=V}}{{cite book|author1=Robert Chambers, John Gibson Lockhart, R. L. Stevenson|title=The Edinburgh Collection: Traditions of Edinburgh, Peter's Letters to his Kinfolk, Edinburgh: Picturesque Notes|date=November 27, 2014|publisher=Palimpsest Book Production Limited}}

Carnegie's funding was initially an offer of £25,000 in 1886 which was doubled, overcoming prior opposition to the establishment of a public library. The city—last of those to do so in Scotland—adopted the Public Libraries Act and on 9 July 1887. Carnegie laid the foundation stone of architect George Washington Browne's French Renaissance-styled building.

Washington Browne's design was the winning entry in the architectural competition for the new library and was selected from 37 submissions.{{Cite web|url=https://talesofonecity.wordpress.com/2017/10/06/the-people-who-helped-shape-edinburgh-libraries-george-washington-browne/|title=Edinburgh city library blog|date=6 October 2017 }} His grand building stands three levels tall above George IV Bridge and reaches down to the Cowgate below, spanning the disjointed streets of Edinburgh's Old Town.

Above the main door is the motto, "Let there be Light" which Carnegie insisted was placed above the entrance to every library he funded.{{Cite book|title=Guided Tour Central Library|publisher=Edinburgh Central Library}} The facade of Central Library is also decorated with stone carvings depicting the coat of arms of the City of Edinburgh, Coat of Arms of Scotland and the Royal Arms. There are nine small square reliefs relating to printers{{Cite web|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/talesofonecity/sets/72157632025668784|title=A History of Edinburgh Libraries|date=22 July 2004 }} and a large sculpture of Caledonia by Alexander Handyside Ritchie.

Records for 1890, the first full year the library was open, show that over 440,000 book loans were issued.

Central Library has been adapted and expanded many times over the years.{{Cite web |url=https://www.capitalcollections.org.uk/index.php?WINID=1647137255241 |title=Homepage |website=Capital Collections |access-date=March 12, 2022}} Only a year after opening, the library was already running out of space and a book store was added in 1903. By 1928, the library was short of space again. Proposals were made for a better use of the space and a public lift was installed.

In 1930, the adjacent building at No.3 George IV Bridge was acquired allowing the library to expand again. Further nearby premises were bought in the 1940s. In 1961 a mezzanine level was created above the former Newspaper Room.

In May 2014, the new children's and music libraries were opened within the main library building. These had previously been housed in a separate building on George IV Bridge. The children's library features a wall graphic by award-winning children's book illustrator Catherine Rayner.{{Cite news|url=https://archive.cilip.org.uk/blog/library-design-transformation-edinburgh-central-librarys-children-music-libraries|title=Library Design: the transformation of Edinburgh Central Library's Children and Music Libraries|date=2015-11-24|work=CILIP|access-date=2018-11-12|language=en|archive-date=12 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181112181721/https://archive.cilip.org.uk/blog/library-design-transformation-edinburgh-central-librarys-children-music-libraries|url-status=dead}}

In November 2017, on the 100th anniversary of her death, a memorial to Dr Elsie Inglis, the founder of the Scottish Women's Hospitals, was unveiled at Central Library.{{Cite web|url=http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/news/article/2399/war_hero_and_suffragist_dr_elsie_inglis_honoured_at_central_library|title=War hero and suffragist Dr Elsie Inglis honoured at Central Library|last=Gordon|first=Rebecca|date=24 November 2017|website=www.edinburgh.gov.uk|language=en|access-date=2018-01-16|archive-date=17 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180117011910/http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/news/article/2399/war_hero_and_suffragist_dr_elsie_inglis_honoured_at_central_library|url-status=dead}}

As with all public libraries in Edinburgh, adult collections are organised using the Library of Congress Classification system.{{cite journal |url=https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:yY4eXyzF2wYJ:discovery.ucl.ac.uk/12229/1/12229.pdf+edinburgh+searching+in+local+libraries+library+of+congress+classification&hl=en&gl=uk&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESgu_dtMGifBN78IeSP2DCj6av1khnv0jzBPIu4DIT8YAogIoAXUhOBe_eWRCUOOkufrrHWdXwrbQ5gjbsjBrEQCDdpbyA-39ehbkCKc9ID6Bm6DdZaszCGgT83xqfOGvPXLqMnR&sig=AHIEtbQbEYqrCYdw7Rv6PDmZLVFJoh72Fg |journal=Library History |volume=21 |date=November 2005 |title=Classification in British Public Libraries: A Historical perspective |page=161 |first=J. H. |last=Bowman|issue=3 |doi=10.1179/002423005x62196 |s2cid=146711663 }} Since Wigan dropped the system during a 1974 local government reorganisation, Edinburgh is the only municipality in the UK continuing to use it. Children's books are organised under the more-widespread Dewey Decimal Classification scheme.Edinburgh Public Libraries 1890–1950, p.4

Edinburgh Central Library holds in its collections three of the Scottish book sculptures, which are on display in its main foyer. The sculptures were the work of an anonymous artist who left these artworks among a series of other in literary venues during the Edinburgh International Book Festival in 2011. The sculptures in the collection depict a magnifying glass, a teacup and a small figure 'lost in a book'.{{Cite web|url=http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/news/article/2203/final_mystery_book_sculpture_settles_at_edinburgh_central_library|title=Final mystery book sculpture settles at Edinburgh Central Library|last=Gordon|first=Rebecca|website=www.edinburgh.gov.uk|language=en|access-date=2018-11-22|archive-date=22 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181122172200/http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/news/article/2203/final_mystery_book_sculpture_settles_at_edinburgh_central_library|url-status=dead}}

File:Scotland Book Sculptures 3.jpg|alt=Lost in a good book..., 2011|Lost in a good book..., 2011

File:Scotland Book Sculptures.jpg|alt=Magnifying glass, 2011|Magnifying glass, 2011

File:Scotland Book Sculptures 2.jpg|alt=Tea, cake and a book, 2011|Tea, cake and a book, 2011

Based with in the Central Library building, the Art and Design Library features collections focusing on architecture, design, fine art, photography, and more. There is also a collection of Artist Books.

Within the Art and Design Library, patrons can find study space to utilize and "exhibition space for local artists and groups" is available.

Currently, the Art and Design Library is undergoing renovation. The library website states that "the Photography Room and the periodicals - is currently inaccessible due to maintenance and repair work. Unfortunately, staff cannot access stock in this area at this time. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. The rest of the Art and Design Library remains open as normal and access to the annexe stock remains unaffected."{{Cite web |last=Padgett |first=Clare |title=Art and Design Library - Library locations and opening hours |url=https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/directory-record/1229168/art-and-design-library |access-date=2025-04-28 |website=The City of Edinburgh Council |language=en}}

Based within the Central Library building, the Children's Library is focused on providing resources for younger patrons including books and DVDs. The Children's Library offers programs such as story times, rhyme times, and "Chatterbooks book group for 8 to 11 year olds."{{Cite web |last=Bergenroth |first=Simon |title=Central Children's Library - Library locations and opening hours |url=https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/directory-record/1229172/central-children-s-library |access-date=2025-04-28 |website=The City of Edinburgh Council |language=en}}

Based within the Central Library building, the Music Library contains "the largest collection of publicly accessible material on music and dance in Scotland including sheet music, books and recorded music on CD, DVD, and streaming through [https://yourlibrary.edinburgh.gov.uk/web/arena/nml-jazz Naxos Music Library]." Patrons can also book "digital pianos, drums and keyboards" or music practice space.{{Cite web |last=Padgett |first=Clare |title=Music Library - Library locations and opening hours |url=https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/directory-record/1229191/music-library |access-date=2025-04-28 |website=The City of Edinburgh Council |language=en}}

In partnership with [https://tinderboxcollective.org/orchestra/ Tinderbox Orchestra], the Music Library offers a collection of musical instruments available for library patrons to borrow. Available instruments include "saxophones, trombones, clarinets, flutes, keyboards, accordions, guitars, ukuleles, violins and cellos." The instruments have been donated by the local community and the library has put out the call for additional instruments, especially "if you have an instrument gathering dust, please consider donating it to" the Music Library.

Edinburgh Central Library was used as a filming location for the TV series Rebus, during episode one Black & Blue. Outside building shots were taken and as well as a scene in the reference section.{{Cite web|url=https://edinburgh.org/edinburgh-on-film/edinburgh-crime-drama-film-locations/rebus/|title=Rebus Film Locations in Edinburgh - This is Edinburgh|website=edinburgh.org|language=en|access-date=2018-11-12|archive-date=12 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181112223251/https://edinburgh.org/edinburgh-on-film/edinburgh-crime-drama-film-locations/rebus/|url-status=dead}}

File:Central Library, Edinburgh 001.jpg|Upper Floor Reference Library with original card indices and an abundance of natural lighting

File:Andrew Carnegie bust, Edinburgh Central Library.JPG|Andrew Carneige bust

File:Carnegie motto, Edinburgh Central Library.JPG|Andrew Carnegie motto - Let There Be Light

File:Central Library, Edinburgh-dome.jpg|Domed ceiling

File:Central Library from Greyfriars Kirkyard.JPG|Central Library and St Mary Magdalene Chapel viewed from Greyfriars Kirkyard

File:John Day tablet, Edinburgh Central Library.JPG|John Day's motto on the facade of Edinburgh Central Library.

File:Walter Chepman tablet, Edinburgh Central Library.JPG|Walter Chepman tablet, Edinburgh Central Library

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite book |title=Lum hats in paradise: Edinburgh City Libraries, 1890–1990 |first1=Norma |last1=Armstrong |first2=Alan |last2=White |publisher=Edinburgh City Libraries |location=Edinburgh |year=1990}}
• {{cite book|title=A history of the public library movement in Scotland to 1955|first1=W.R.|last1=Aitken|publisher=School Library Association|location=Glasgow|year=1971}}
• {{cite book |title=Edinburgh Public Libraries 1890–1950: A Handbook and History of Sixty Years Progress |publisher=Edinburgh Public Libraries Committee |year=1951}}

• [http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/directory_record/5079/central_library City of Edinburgh Council page for the library]
• [https://www.facebook.com/pages/Edinburgh-Central-Library/352940041396180 Central Library - Facebook page]
• {{commons category-inline}}

{{Libraries in Scotland}}

{{Buildings and Structures in Edinburgh}}

{{Culture and leisure facilities in Edinburgh}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Library buildings completed in 1890

Category:Libraries in Edinburgh

Category:Category A listed buildings in Edinburgh

Category:Listed library buildings in Scotland

Category:1890 establishments in Scotland

Category:Public libraries in Scotland

Category:Carnegie libraries in Scotland

Category:Renaissance Revival architecture in the United Kingdom

Category:Libraries established in 1890

Category:Government buildings with domes

Category:Domes in the United Kingdom