Orkney Library & Archive is on Junction Road right in the heart of Kirkwall.
Books and archives since 1683
News & Updates
Our partners at Orkney Talking Newspaper have recorded an audiobook version of Orkney – A Special Place by Richard Clubley. You can listen to a short excerpt below but if you’d like to hear the rest of the book we have a number of copies available on USB drives which you can borrow from Orkney Library & Archive.
Churchill Barriers – 80th Anniversary
Monday 12th May 2025 marks the 80th Anniversary of the opening of the Churchill Barriers in Orkney, which were built in response to the sinking of the Royal Oak in October 1939.
This short video was created using photographs and sound archives from the Orkney Archive.
April 2025 – we’ve just published our Annual Impact Report 2024 which highlights all the things we’ve been working on at Orkney Library & Archive over the last year. Click here to open
Audio Waves Book Club
Audio Waves Book Club is a completely new Book Club from Orkney Library & Archive where we are listening to Audiobooks and eAudiobooks instead of reading printed books. It’s a way of offering a book club experience to readers who prefer or require audiobooks, and there are no physical meetings which means it can be more inclusive of people with sight or mobility issues, or for people who live in more remote parts of Orkney, or elsewhere across the world.
It’s open to anyone who wants to take part, wherever you live. There is no registration required and we’ll only nominate a new book every couple of months so there will be plenty of time to listen to each title. Find out more about Audio Waves Book Club by clicking here.
We are now on BLUESKY
Orkney Library & Archive is now on Bluesky (along with Twitter/X, Facebook and Instagram)
Find us at: https://bsky.app/profile/orkneylibrary.bsky.social
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.’
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.