Our library services support the research and learning needs of Museum staff, visitors, and the wider external research community.

National Museums Scotland has the largest museum library collection in Scotland. Our library services support the research and learning needs of Museum staff, visitors and the wider external research community.  There are two libraries which have public access - the Research Library in the National Museum of Scotland (our main reading room) and the National War Museum Library.

The founding library collection dates back 235 years with its roots in the collections of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. It is now a modern research library with collections and services reflecting the strength and variety of the Museum’s collections and research directions.