Orkney Library & Archive is on Junction Road right in the heart of Kirkwall.
Books and archives since 1683
News & Updates
Warehouse Buildings – Evening Opening
Warehouse Buildings in Stromness will be closing at 4.45pm (instead of 5.45pm) on Monday evenings until further notice. There will still be a later evening opening on a Thursday.
Mobile Library Timetables for 2025
The Mobile Library timetables for 2025 are now available.
Click here for our normal calendar timetable.
Click here for our accessible calendar without the use of colour.
Both timetables can be downloaded and printed if required, or you can pick one up in the library or on the Mobile Library.
In June 2024 Orkney Library & Archive WON an Orkney Islands Council Values in Practice (VIP) Award in the category of Creativity.
The awards are aimed at recognising work which reflects and embodies the values of Orkney Islands Council and are awarded across three categories – Customer Focus, Working Together and Creativity.
The Creativity Award is a recognition of ‘individuals or teams who bring about change leading to clear benefits for customers, colleagues and our communities. It’s for individuals or teams who show commitment to improving and developing themselves and the work they deliver.’
March 2024 – we’ve just published our Annual Impact Report 2023 which highlights all the things we’ve been working on at Orkney Library & Archive over the last year. Click here to open
ODILO - Ukraine Unlimited Learning App - Click here
The ODILO app has over 1700 FREE eBooks in Ukrainian suitable for all ages and reading abilities. You can download the ODILO Ukrainian Unlimited Learning app for FREE from your normal app store or if you don't have a smartphone or tablet you can access ODILO through a web browser on a PC or laptop. You don't need to be a library member to use the app and can register for free using your email address. Find out more and access the service by following the link above.
#BeDistanceAware
At Orkney Library & Archive we're proud to be supporting the Distance Aware scheme, encouraging people to give more space when they see this symbol. If you see someone wearing a badge or a lanyard with this symbol, please give them some space so that we can all feel comfortable as we adapt to living with COVID-19.
If you (or someone you know) needs some extra space you can pick up a FREE Distance Aware badge or lanyard in Kirkwall, Stromness or at the Mobile Library.
The Library service provides access to over 145,000 items
We have a wide range of fiction and non-fiction titles available for loan as well as audiobooks, maps, eBooks, music CDs and DVDs and we also have a well stocked junior and teenage library.
Online Catalogue
You can browse our full catalogue online. If there is an item you require that we do not have in our collection, it may be possible to acquire from another library on your behalf as an Inter-Library Loan. Find out more about this service by clicking here.
Reference Room
Upstairs we have a Reference Room which has an extensive collection of resources including reference books, maps and local government information. There are also study carrels with power sockets and desk lamps which are ideal for quiet study.
Our Foyer
In the foyer there is comfortable seating, access to hot drinks, and a selection of magazines, leaflets and other useful information. There is also a selection of withdrawn books for sale.
Free Wi-Fi
We have FREE Wi-Fi within the building and a number of public access computers with internet access which are FREE for Library members but are also available to visitors for a small charge.
Great Library
Good selection of books, with a great separate kids room with books and puzzles. Lots of comfortable seats throughout and a good place to visit on a rainy day.
Jmarie
21/10/2022
Find your family history here.
Researching family history in Orkney? This is a must visit place, helpful people and a very organised research collection.
Mazzda
08/10/2022
The place to go if you are tracing Orkney ancestors
The 'Archive Centre' on the upper floor has wonderful helpful staff and huge archives in original form, microfiche and computerised to help you trace your past. Best to book a place.
Mike BR
19/07/2021
Great warm vibrant place
Great warm vibrant place, when outside is cold and maybe wet what more can you want but a large open warm and buzzing cafe. Extremely friendly staff, great food - soup was lovely - great vibe and really a highlight of a day. Shuts at 5 in winter. Good beers too
Architecture and food
11/01/2020
Excellent facilities & friendly staff
This library has excellent facilities. A vast catalogue of books - including written, ebooks, large print. Their display is neat & easy to follow & they have a vast number of books in store to access too. The staff are friendly & helpful. There is seating, toilet facilties, coffee & drinks available. DVDs & CDs are also available . The archive unit upside is wonderful to browse & has an intensive collection of material & information about Orkney
Karen M
17/11/2019
Beautiful library.
Just off the centre of Kirkwall, the Library is huge and modern. They also have an Archive upstairs, where you can find family connections, or get photocopies of interesting documents etc. If you have an interest in Orkney , or family history, this is the place to go.
KatyT
14/11/2019
Great library
This is a beautifully laid out library with a large range of books to suit every taste. The upstairs Archive also provides great information. All staff I encountered were friendly and helpful. This is a great asset to both locals and holidaymakers alike.
Orkho
03/09/2019
First class Library
Visit the library every year when we visit Orkney the services they provide to holiday makers is first class, an added bonus this year was the fact our 2 children could play on Minecraft on I believe a PS4 system on a tv screen together. Thank you Orkney Library.
Kevin Young
27/08/2019
Kirkwall library is well organised. The staff are efficient and friendly.
Teresa Furniss
02/11/2023
Very well run & friendly customer service.
Sam Thompson
18/09/2023
Last summer I was offered a job interview that couldn't be reschedueled and clashed with my holiday in Kirkwall. I was able to do the interview remotely but was staying in a hostel. I got in touch with Orkney libraries and the staff could not have been more helpful and made sure I had a quiet, private space in the library to do my interview. They went beyond what I expected when I got in touch about possibly booking a room, the importance of library services cannot be overstated!
Laura Tulloch
12/07/2023