Library & Information Service

Scottish Borders Library & Information Service has a network of public libraries, mobile library vans, school libraries and a hospital library to provide a full range of information services throughout the Scottish Borders

Lending books, music CDs, DVDs
Locating business, local history, genealogical and tourist information
Free access to the Internet
Free access to word processing facilities
Reference CD-ROMs
CD-ROM games for the kids
Faxing, photocopying and distance learning facilities

Reference Information

All libraries contain a basic stock of material to answer your reference enquiries and have access to a number of specialised free online resources via the internet.

Local Studies

Original archive material, maps, postcards, ephemera, newspapers on microfilm and family history resources are now available at the Heritage Hub in Hawick, along with a reference collection of local history books.

The main collection of local studies books and periodicals, including the Craig-Brown Collection, is available for consultation at Library Headquarters, St Mary’s Mill, Selkirk. Material on the locality, or written by people with a Scottish Borders connection is purchased, within funding restraints, with the aim of gathering published information on every aspect of life in the Borders. To consult books at St Mary’s Mill it is necessary to make an appointment with the part-time Local Studies Librarian prior to your visit. (contact details below)

Public libraries in Galashiels, Hawick, Duns and Jedburgh hold small collections of local newspapers on microfilm, and libraries throughout the Borders have collections of local studies books for loan. You can request books from the main local studies collection through your local library, although some rare and/or fragile books will only be available at St Mary’s Mill.

If you have a local studies enquiry, please ask at your local library or contact the Local Studies Librarian at Library HQ, St Mary’s Mill, Selkirk TD7 5EW.

Tel: 01750 20842 - E-mail:hdarling@scotborders.gov.uk

Membership is free

To join the library all you need is proof of address. This must be an official document of some sort which shows your name and address. Some examples are Driving License, Council Tax Bill, Utilities (Gas, electricity, telephone), family allowance book, pension book. Please ask library staff if you are unsure.

Visitors

Visitors are welcome to use our libraries. You can use the computers or consult materials in the library. If you would like to borrow items, or will be using the library regularly for a few weeks you can join as Visitor Member for up to 3 months. (This can be renewed further in necessary). To join as a Visitor you will need to pay a £5 deposit (returned when you return your card) or you can leave an existing library card from your home library as a deposit.

Junior Visitors, under 16 years of age, will require their parent or guardian to complete a membership form and return it to the library in person.