The Music Library

Often overlooked resource in Edinburgh’s Central Library. The Music Library has a wide range of CDs, music DVDs and books on all music genres, and scores of scores too. If you’re looking for sheet music for a solo performance or for the whole orchestra, chances are they’ll have it there, or will be able to get it for you.
Situated downstairs at 9 George IV Bridge, a separate building to the left of the main Central Library.

Situated next door to the Edinburgh Central Lending Library on George 4^th, the Music Library is tucked away down stars out of sight, with only a small sign near the door to entice one inside. Once you have found the place, the library proves to be a largish, open-​plan space with plenty of nooks and crannies for some quite browsing. All seems well until you attempt to find a book. The sign suggesting that some books may be out of place do to a partial re-​cataloguing in process falls every so slightly short of the mark to fully describe the situation. The staff seem reluctant to help, or bring up books from the stacks, and need to be very firmly encouraged to attempt to locate a book that you have found in the catalogue, and is listed as being shelved and available to borrow. Finally I was assisted in my search by a lady who took me to a shelf about 5 meters long and 7 shelves high and told me that the book ‘would probably be there’ Where? On the shelf. Somewhere.
There is a large selection of very eclectic CDs, and a great selection of books ranging from music history, styles, production, recording, industry studies, biographies, specialist instrumental studies, as well as sheet music, journals, papers, magazines, etc. Well worth a look if you have some time, an interest in music, and are not after anything in particular