Aberdeen Local Studies provide information and help with research on all aspects of the city and the surrounding area from the earliest period of history to the present day.
Join us to discover your family history, enjoy friendly learning opportunities, build the history of your local area, explore lots of online resources and use all our facilities and services.
We look forward to welcoming you to Aberdeen Local Studies and assisting with your research. Contacting us before visiting is recommended. This will allow us to provide the best assistance. Additionally, please get in touch if you have any questions or would like further information about our service.
Please see the link below to download our Local Studies leaflet.
How to find us
Local Studies is located within the Information Centre at the Central Library and can be accessed during the library's normal opening hours. It is fully accessible to disabled visitors via the lift and ramped entrance.
The Central Library is located on Rosemount Viaduct, at the end of Union Terrace, adjacent to St Mark's Church and His Majesty's Theatre. It is approximately 10-15 minutes' walk from the railway station. Car parking facilities are available at the rear of the building at the Denburn Car Park, Skene Street. Charges apply.
See the location map.
Facilities
Enquiries
The Local Studies team can provide advice and information about the resources held at the library. Enquiries can be made by email, telephone, letter or in-person at the library, see the contact details at the bottom of this page. You can find out more about our charging policy in the leaflet below:
Aberdeen Local Studies service welcomes enquiries relating to local and family history. We can give advice on the numerous sources available and are able to conduct basic searches of our collections to suggest how we can help with your research.
Enquiries requiring substantial staff assistance will be undertaken at the discretion of the department, for which the following Research charges will apply. Before commencing any research which would incur a fee, we will contact you detailing the likely charge applicable and reach agreement on work to be undertaken. Research will normally be conducted to a maximum of 2 hours per enquiry.
Research charge including 20% VAT (Please note that VAT is not applied to overseas customers outside the EU)
• £20 per hour (charged per 15 minutes undertaken at £5 each).
Research charge excluding 20% VAT
• £16.67 per hour (charged per 15 minutes undertaken at £4.17 each).
Photocopying
Please note that no photocopying of Local Studies stock is permitted without first consulting a member of the Local Studies team. Our collections are delicate and must be protected from the damage caused by photocopying. Your co-operation in this matter is greatly appreciated.
Please note: reproduction restrictions apply to all material within copyright.
Microfilm readers and printers
Copies can be made from material held on microfilm but please note that the quality of copies can vary. We do not operate an advance booking system for the microfilm readers but during busy periods, sessions will be limited to 1 hour maximum.
A4 microfilm prints cost 20p and A3 prints cost 40p.
Computer access
Dedicated PCs provide access to websites relating to family history and local studies information sources. Access is free but print-out costs apply.
Reproductions of photographs
We can supply copies of images from our collection. For more information, please contact the Local Studies team.
Contact Details
Local Studies
Central Library
Rosemount Viaduct
Aberdeen
AB25 1GW
Tel: 01224 070707
Email: LocalStudies@aberdeencity.gov.uk