Noreen and Kenneth Murray Library

University of Edinburgh staff and students are automatically members of the library. Please remember your ID card to access our libraries.

We are also pleased to welcome external students, researchers and visitors to the Library but please be aware that during exam periods access to some library sites may be restricted. In advance of a visit in person,  please email us at library.account@ed.ac.uk

Please check up-to-date information on the Joining the Library web pages before visiting any library.

Joining the library 

Getting here

University shuttle bus

Travelling to The King's Buildings campus

Getting in

Staff, students and Official Visitors to the University of Edinburgh have full access and borrowing rights, using their blue University smartcard.  This card must be used to gain entry and exit at the library speedlanes at all times.

• Monday-Thursday, access to the library for Library members with yellow University cards ends at 8pm. On all other days the access is the same as for members of the University.
• Yellow University card holders’ access may be further restricted during exam periods. 

For some external users, the membership application process has changed. Please check up-to-date information before visiting any library (see 'Join the library')

After 8pm Monday-Thursday, access for blue University smartcard holders is via the KB Nucleus building, with swipe and PIN.

Use of the library lift requires a current University card and operates between floors 1 and 3  (ground floor lift access is via KB Nucleus building):

KB Nucleus Building general information

The Murray Library entrance is on the first floor. This is one floor up from the café level.  If you are coming from within the KB Nucleus, pass Careers on your right to see the Murray Library speedlanes and, beyond, the EdHelp desk.

KB Nucleus Ground Floor plan showing lifts and stairs to the Murray Library

Accessibility

Noreen and Kenneth Murray Library accessibility information 

The Noreen and Kenneth Murray Library is situated right at the green heart of the Kings Buildings campus, adjacent to the Nucleus Building, and is spread over 4 floors. Use the orientation guide (and floor plans) to find your way around the library once you are here. 

Noreen and Kenneth Murray Library - self guided tour [PDF]

Noreen and Kenneth Murray Library virtual orientation [Sway]

Noreen and Kenneth Murray Library Virtual Visit

Floor plans

Noreen and Kenneth Murray Library floor plan: 1st floor

Noreen and Kenneth Murray Library floor plan: 2nd floor

Noreen and Kenneth Murray Library floor plan: 3rd floor

Noreen and Kenneth Murray Library access

There is a detailed guide to physically accessing the Murray library as a new user under 'How to find us'.

To find out more about we assist disabled users here at the Murray Library please visit:

Noreen and Kenneth Murray Library accessibility information 

A guide to the Murray Library is available on the AccessAble website.

AccessAble

More information on University Library accessibility

Find information on the physical accessibility of the libraries and the services offered to disabled users.

Library Accessibility

EdHelp desk

The EdHelp team based on the 1st floor can help with library, IT, student administration and finance related enquiries. You can also contact them online.

EdHelp

Borrowing and returning books

If you need to borrow or return books, there are self-service machines within the library. If you have any problems please visit the EdHelp desk.

• a self-issue and returns machine on floor 1, next to the Helpdesk
• a self-issue machine on floor 1 

WiFi and computer access

• Free Wifi access
• 41 PCs for student and staff use (including 8 Ucreate PCs)
• Library Search PCs (DiscoverEd) - floors 1-3
• Laptops for loan (students only)
• Walk-in access PC - access to limited e-resources 

Eduroam

VisitED Guest WiFi

DiscoverED

Laptop loan service 

Ucreate

Printing, copying and scanning - EdPrint

There are MFDs (multi-function devices) on the ground floor and level 1, on which University of Edinburgh staff and students can print (from Library PCs or from own devices), scan and photocopy. Both MFDs print and copy in colour.  

Other library users are able to pay for photocopying services only - please ask at the EdHelp desk for information or email library.account@ed.ac.uk

As part of the uCreate service, on Floor 1 there is a large-scale printer (plain paper), suitable for printing up to size A0 posters.

EdPrint 

uCreate 

Card Services

If you have lost or damaged your card, or if it is expired, you can get a replacement at the EdHelp desk.

Replacement card desks 

Getting your first card 

Card Help 

Lockers

There are no lockers available in the Noreen and Kenneth Murray Library for the majority of patrons.  However we have a limited number of accessibility lockers on the 1st floor. These can be assigned to students through arrangement via the Disability and Learning Support Service:

Disability and Learning Support Service

Food and drink

The KB Cafe is located within the Library building and is open throughout the year. There is also a further cafe in the Nucleus Building, plus a shop and wrap bar.

KB Cafe and other Kings Building cafe locations

Nucleus Building cafe

Nucleus Shop and wrap bar

• Covered drinks are allowed throughout the library.
• Eating is allowed on every floor, but hot food is only allowed in the ground floor cafe area.
• Water fountains are available on every floor.
• Hot water is not available in the library itself, but is available on level 1 of the Nucleus Building, in the Study Support area.
• A microwave is also available in the Nucleus Building study support area.

Toilets

Male, female, and unisex accessible toilets are available on every floor. 

The Noreen and Kenneth Murray Library has various types of study space spread over all floors. 

• Ground floor and Floor 1: discussion allowed in all areas
• Floor 2: quiet study space
• Floor 3: silent study space

Study space with computers

The library provides 41 computers for study. This includes 2 Quick Use PCs available for 15 minute sessions on the first floor and 5 PCs located in the Library Café. A plasma screen on the ground floor of the library displays real time PC availability on each floor [check this]. You can also check this online.

Group study space

Study Tables

There are some tables within the general study areas of the ground and first floor that are available for group study. They have no PCs but some have connectivity.  They are open-access and cannot be booked.

Group study rooms

There are 7 group study rooms spread over 3 floors which can be booked online via MyEd. The rooms are for groups of up to 6 students and are equipped with a PC, screen and whiteboard.

• Rooms 1 and 2 on Ground floor
• Rooms 3 and 4 on Second floor
• Rooms 5, 6 and 7 on Third floor

Booking study rooms via MyEd

Accessible study space

There is 1 accessible study room on the ground floor of the library and a further 2 rooms on Floor 1. Access to the accessible study rooms should be arranged with the Disability and Learning Support Service.

• networked PCs
• height adjustable desks
• adaptable chairs
• adjustable footrests
• adaptable lighting 

Height adjustable desks can also be found on all floors apart from the ground floor.

Booking accessible study rooms

Booking accessible study room online guidance 

Library Regulations

All users of the University Library must observe these Library Regulations and observe special regulations relating to any Library premises which they may use.

Library regulations

Food and drink

Drinks with a lid are permitted, but food is not allowed.

Food and drink policy 

Child access to the Library

This policy is intended to enable parents and carers accompanied by children to access the University Library and to ensure the safety of children.

Policy for child access to the Library