Leabharlainn nan Eilean Siar

Your Library Service

Western Isles Libraries has full time branches in Stornoway, Tarbert, Lionacleit and Castlebay; part-time branches at Shawbost and Daliburgh; mobile libraries serve rural Lewis, Harris and the Uists.

Membership of the library is free to all residents of the Western Isles. Visitors may join on payment of a small returnable deposit or by leaving their home library ticket as security.

Borrowing of books, audio cassettes, spoken word and language courses is free of charge. Compact discs and videos are also available, but a small charge is made for borrowing these. Fines are levied for items kept overdue.

Requests may be made for any items not immediately available. Postcards can be filled in at the counter when we will try and obtain the item as quickly as possible. If there are any special requirements or deadlines for requests we will do our best to meet them. If a requested item is not available from stock it may be purchased, or borrowed from other libraries through the inter-lending scheme. It is not possible to take requests for compact discs, videos or spoken word cassettes which are not in stock. A small charge is made for placing requests.

How to Find the Material You Want

Fiction is arranged alphabetically by authors’ surnames. There are separate sequences of Romances and Westerns.

Non-Fiction is arranged by Dewey Decimal Classification with each subject represented by a different class number.

A separate section of LARGE PRINT books is available for those who have difficulty reading normal sized type.

Audio Visual Material

A selection of popular, Classical, Scottish and Gaelic music cassettes and compact discs and a wide range of videos is available.

A collection of Spoken Word on cassette may also be borrowed.

Internet

We now offer access to the Internet by the hour or half hour. No charge is made for this service but a charge is made for any print outs which may be taken. Full details will be given on request.

Reference

Reference books, dictionaries, encyclopaedias, telephone directories, rail, bus and ferry timetables and public information leaflets are available for consultation. The library is also a member of the European Public Information Relay and a Partner Library of the Scottish Parliament.

A small range of national and local newspapers and magazines is also stocked.

A large collection of Local History lending and reference material is held including Old Parochial Records and Census Returns for the Western Isles on microfilm. In addition to books and pamphlets there are photographs, maps, school log books, documents, theses, and local newspapers.

The Gaelic collection in Stornoway is one of the best in Scotland.

Language learning courses with cassettes and videos may be borrowed.

Reference

Photocopying facilities are available. A charge is made for this service.

Fax

Charges for use of the Fax machine vary according to number of pages and location of receiving fax machine.

To make the best use of the service we provide ask any member of staff to help you. They will be pleased to advise and assist with your particular query.

We Aim

To serve you with courtesy and efficiency at all times.

To make the best use of the resources available to us.

To provide a well balanced stock suitable for all ages and interests.

To make you more aware of the services we can offer.

We Ask You

To take care of library material while in your posession.

To return it on time.

To support your library service.

This is YOUR Library Service

Please write to the Chief Librarian with any comments you may have to help us improve the services we offer or e-mail bobeaves@cne-siar.gov.uk.