Each area of the The Highland Council has its own libraries and library team led by an Area Libraries Officer. The Library Support Unit (based in Inverness) provides a professional support centre for the network. Here standards are set and performance monitored to ensure that a consistent, high quality, customer-focused library and information service is delivered throughout the Highlands. Together they all form the Highland Libraries Network.
For information about an individual library follow one of the links below, or on the map which shows the location of all of our libraries:
Find your local library
| Achiltibuie | Alness | Ardersier | Ardnamurchan | Aviemore | Badenoch | Beauly | Bettyhill |
| Bonar Bridge | Broadford | Brora | Caol | Cromarty | Culloden | Dingwall | Dornoch |
| Evanton | Fort William | Fortrose | Gairloch | Glen Urquhart |
| Golspie | Grantown on Spey | Helmsdale | Inshes | Invergordon | Inverness | Kinlochleven |
| Knoydart | Kyle of Lochalsh | Lairg | Lochcarron | Mallaig | Muir of Ord | Nairn | Plockton |
| Portree | Tain | Thurso | Ullapool | Wick |
If a town or village near to you is not in this list, you may find that there is a convenient mobile library stop.
General information about using our services is set out below:
How do I join?
Just go along to your local library, or the mobile library if it stops near your home, with proof of your identity and address (e.g. an allowance book or driver's licence) and ask to join. If you wish you will also be able to sign up to use the computers in the library.
If you are under 16 we will ask you to get a parent or guardian to sign the form.
You can download Library membership forms by clicking on the relevant link on the right of this page under "Current Documents". We have a version of the Adult Membership Form which can be filled in on-line. Then you just need to print it off, sign it and take it to your library. Remember to take proof of identity and your address.
We also supply forms for completion by hand in English, Polish and Gaelic.
What can I borrow?
Once you have joined you will be able to borrow right away. All libraries have a wide range of fiction and information books for adults, teenagers and children. Most also have a range of talking books and videos and some have DVDs.
If you can't find what you are looking for let us know - we will try our best to get it for you. If it is in one of our libraries there is no charge. We can also use the Inter Library Loans service to get more specialist books and photocopies of journal articles. You will be asked to pay for photocopies, and the cost of return postage on books.
How long can I keep the items I borrow?
You can borrow books and story tapes for 21 days; videos and DVDs can be borrowed for 14 days.
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What computer resources can I use?
Every community library (except Knoydart) has at least one computer, with printer and scanner attached, offering free public access to the internet. See the Information service section for some of the information resources you can use. You can also access materials which will help you to work towards the ECDL (European Computer Driving Licence) qualification. Other distance learning courses are also available.
What does it cost?
You will not have to pay anything to borrow books or search for information. You can use the computers free of charge, though you will be asked to pay for printouts.
There is a charge for borrowing other items such as videos and DVDs. We also charge for photocopies and the return postage on books obtained for you from another library service. If you have a disability or are retired you may not have to pay, just bring along some proof.
There is a charge if you are late returning items you have borrowed, but you can avoid this by letting us know that you would like to keep them a bit longer. We will generally be able to give you a new date for returning them, but if someone else is waiting for them you will be asked to return them right away.
Click the link for a list of charges.
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