Main Library opening hours

Opening hours and staffed hours of the Main Library, George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9LJ

Restrictions during exams April/May 2025

During the exam period holders of Library Reference cards will not be permitted access to the Main Library and the Law Library. New Reference memberships and renewals of existing Reference memberships will also not be possible.

 

Affected dates: Tuesday 8 April till Thursday 15 May 2025 inclusive

 

If you wish to apply for an exemption to these restrictions on the grounds of exceptional circumstances, please email us at library.account@ed.ac.uk

We welcome all users into the UoE Libraries. Please note, that for some external users, the membership application process has changed. Please check up-to-date information on the Joining the Library web pages before visiting any library. 

Full details on using library and other centrally managed study spaces are available on the Study Spaces webpage.

 

Semester opening hours from Saturday 4 January to Thursday 5 June 2025 
Day Building EdHelp Service Desk 
Monday - Thursday 24 hour opening 9am - 7:50pm
Friday 24 hour opening 9am - 6:50pm
Saturday 24 hour opening 12 midday - 4:50pm
Sunday 24 hour opening 12 midday - 6:50pm

 

Opening hours for the Centre for Research Collections, including Heritage Collections.

 

Library Café 

 

Main Library Cafe opening hours until Sunday 6 April 2025
Monday - Thursday 8.30am - 10pm 
Friday8:30am - 6pm
Saturday & Sunday 10am - 6pm
Main Library Cafe opening hours  Monday 7 April to Sunday 13 April
Monday - Thursday8:30am - 7pm
Friday, Saturday & Sunday 10am - 6pm
Main Library Cafe opening hours  Monday 14 April -  Monday 21 April
Monday 14 April - Thursday 17 April8:30am - 7pm
Friday 18 April 8:30am - 5pm
Saturday 19 April 10am - 5pm
Sunday 20 April 10am - 5pm
Monday 21 April8:30am - 7pm

The coffee cart is open on the Ground Floor Foyer of the Main Library*:

 Monday – Thursday: 9am - 4pm

 Friday: 9am - 3pm

 

*The coffee cart will be closed from Monday 7 April and will reopen on Tuesday 22 April.

 

Self-service in the Main Library

Main Library location and contacts

Policy for child access to the University Library