CATEGORY · RAINY DAY APPROVED
Libraries in Edinburgh
"Library" covers a lot of ground here, from proper book-borrowing to a woodworking bench and a search room for family history. The Scottish Poetry Library, a kilometre from the centre, is free to wander with a children's book collection and toys tucked into a quiet corner off the Royal Mile. The Edinburgh Tool Library at Meadowbank lends actual tools on a membership rather than a purchase, handy for a repair café or a go on the woodworking bench. Out at Bonnyrigg, Lasswade Library runs quiet sessions if the usual buzz is too much. For the family day out, stick to the free ones: the Poetry Library or a browse at Loanhead Library, which has step-free access and two late nights a week. The ScotlandsPeople Centre suits older children keen on family history, booked by the seat from £15, and the Colonnades' afternoon tea at the Signet Library is a sit-down treat from £75 rather than a run-around. The Library Bar is a late-opening spot from 4pm, really not a kids' day out, so save that one for an evening without them.
7 places 2 free to visit
FreeEdinburgh Tool Library - Meadowbank Hub
Edinburgh
Borrow proper tools, get stuck into a repair café or bag a woodworking bench, all on a library membership rather than a big spend.
Group bookingsMembership scheme
Lasswade Library
Bonnyrigg
A local library with books, DVDs and free computers to browse, plus quiet sessions if the usual buzz feels like too much.
Quiet / SEN sessionsToiletsWheelchair accessibleWi-Fi
Library Bar
Edinburgh
A late-opening bar that starts at 4pm, so this one's really not a kids' day out.
Loanhead Library
Loanhead
A local library with toilets, wifi and step-free access, open six days a week including two late nights.
ToiletsWheelchair accessibleWi-Fi
from £15ScotlandsPeople Centre
Edinburgh
A search room for digging into Scottish family history through digitised records, booked by the seat rather than turned up to.
Booking requiredWi-Fi
FreeScottish Poetry Library
Edinburgh
A quiet corner off the Royal Mile where kids can dig into a children's book collection and some toys, free to wander round.
Blue badge parkingWi-Fi
from £75The Colonnades at the Signet Library
Edinburgh
A grand, marble-columned room under the Signet Library for a proper sit-down afternoon tea rather than a run-around.
Allergy awareBooking requiredVegetarian options
Good to know: libraries in Edinburgh
Are any of them free?
Yes, Edinburgh Tool Library - Meadowbank Hub and Scottish Poetry Library are free to visit.
What does a paid visit cost?
Paid entry starts from £15 at ScotlandsPeople Centre. Prices, ages and facilities are listed on every place page, taken from each venue's own published price list.
Whereabouts are they?
You'll find libraries in Edinburgh, Bonnyrigg and Loanhead. Every place we list is in or around Edinburgh, and each listing has the full address and directions.
More ways to plan a day out
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