Libraries
Kirkwall
Orkney Library & Archive is on Junction Road right in the heart of Kirkwall.
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.
You can browse our full catalogue online here. 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 using our Inter-Library Loan Service.
If you need somewhere to work or study there are desks and study carrels at various places in the foyer and around the library. Most of these have power sockets to plug in your phone or laptop and the study carrels have desk lamps. These do not need to be booked so just come in and find a place to work. If you need a quieter area for study you can use the Orkney Room upstairs, which is available whenever the Archive is open.
In the foyer there is comfortable seating, a hot drinks station and a selection of leaflets, magazines and tourist information. There is also a selection of withdrawn books for sale.
View our stock management policy.
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. Printing and scanning facilities are also available for a small charge. View our Acceptable Use Policy.
Stromness
Stromness Library is situated within the Warehouse Buildings which is next to the pierhead in Stromness, just opposite the ferry terminal. Though smaller than Kirkwall Library you can access all the same services. There is a wide range of fiction and non-fiction titles available for loan as well as audiobooks, music CDs, DVDs and a bright, well stocked junior and teenage library.
Upstairs in the George Mackay Brown Room you will find a collection of old local newspapers and magazines as well as a collection of local books for reference.
In the foyer there is comfortable seating, a hot drinks station and a selection of local and national newspapers and magazines covering a wide range of subjects.
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. Printing and scanning facilities are available for a small charge. View our Acceptable Use Policy.