Using other Libraries

Subject Areas

• Art in General
• Culture, Literature, Publishing
• Design
• Film
• Journalism, Advertising, Communication
• Music
• Photography

Using other libraries

One of the best things about studying in Edinburgh is the wealth of other libraries you can use.

If you want to visit another academic library we would always advise you to speak to the staff in a Napier Library first. You may need to have a SCONUL Access card, or a signed letter to gain access, and you must be in good standing with the Napier library service.

Most academic libraries will only allow reading access for undergraduates, unless you pay their external user fees. Postgraduates may be able to borrow some materials from some libraries. Please respect the rules and regulations of the libraries you visit, they may not be the same as Napier.

Some of the most useful ones for Creative Industries subjects are listed below:

Edinburgh College of Art Library - you need a SCONUL Access card. Search their catalogue

Edinburgh University Library - includes the former Reid Music Library. Search their catalogue. There is also a departmental library for Architecture and Fine Art. You need a SCONUL Access card.

Edinburgh City Libraries - especially the Fine Art section upstairs. Search their catalogue. You are strongly recommended to join so that you can borrow items from their lending collections. Take proof of identity and addresss, e.g. a recent utility bill.

National Library of Scotland - reference access only. Search their catalogue. Undergraduates need a form signed by Napier library staff each time you go. Postgraduates can apply for a reader's card.

Our helpsheet on Edinburgh Libraries lists all these and more - available from our Helpsheets page

You can use libraries in other cities also, if that happens to be convenient for you. See our webpage on Accessing other libraries.

If you can't find the thing you want in any local library, there still may be hope. We may be able to request it via Document Supply for you - call into your nearest campus library. We normally charge a small fee for this service.