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Become a borrower

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English

Can I borrow books?

The Scottish Poetry Library is a unique national resource and advocate for the enriching art of poetry. It offers a free lending service for UK residents. Fill in the form below to join the library. If you don’t live in Edinburgh, you can use our Postal Loan Service which we have provided free of charge since lockdown started. Our loan period is six weeks. If the borrowed item has not been reserved we can reissue the book.

There are currently no plans to reintroduce charging for postal loans. However if you’re a disabled person or you work in education please tell us when you complete the registration form and we will ensure your membership states you are permanently entitled to free postal loans.

Gaelic

An urrainn dhomh leabhraichean fhaighinn air iasad?

’S urrainn. ’S e goireas nàiseanta air leth, agus tagraiche airson ealan na bàrdachd, a th’ ann an Leabharlann Bàrdachd na h-Alba. ’S urrainnear leabhraichean fhaighinn air iasad an-asgaidh. Mas ann anns an RA a tha sibh, ’s urrainn dhuibh a bhith nur n-iasadaiche le bhith a’ lìonadh an fhoirm gu h-ìosal. Mur eil sibh a’ fuireach an Dùn Èideann, ’s urrainn dhuibh an Seirbheis Iasad Puist a chleachdadh, le cosgais £2 gach rud a gheibh thu air iasad. Ma tha ciorram oirbh, no mas e tidsear a th’ annaibh, tha seo cuideachd an-asgaidh.

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What happens next?

We’ll post your library card out to you, and you’ll be able to use our online catalogue and sign in to place a hold on books you would like to borrow. If you can’t come in to the SPL, we can post books out to you.

Gaelic

Dè thachras às dèidh seo?

Cuiridh sinn càirt leabharlainn thugaibh anns a’ phost, agus bidh e comasach dhuibh an uair sin rudan fhaighinn air iasad tro bhith a’ clàradh a-steach agus a’ cleachdadh ar catalog air-loidhne. Mur eil e comasach dhuibh tighinn a-steach dhan Leabharlann, thèid againn air leabhraichean a chur thugaibh tron phost.

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Privacy notice

We will only use your personal data to contact you about the library service. We will store your details securely and we will not pass them on to any other organisation. Please contact us at any time if you wish to be taken off this list or if your details have changed. You can read our full privacy notice here.

If you are under 16, we will require a signature from a parent or guardian over 18 before we can complete your registration.

Gaelic

Sanas prìobhaideachd

Cha chleachd sinn am fiosrachadh pearsanta agaibh airson sìon ach fios a chumail ribh mun t-seirbheis iasaid againn. Gleidhidh sinn am fiosrachadh agaibh agus cha toir sinn do chompanaidh sam bith eile e. Ma tha sibh airson ur n-ainm a thoirt far an liosta no atharrachadh aig àm sam bith, dìreach leigibh fios dhuinn. Thèid agaibh air ar sanas prìobhaideachd slàn a leughadh an seo.

Ma tha sibh fo aois 16, bidh ainm-sgrìobhte a dhìth oirnn bho phàrant no neach-gleidhidh mus tèid againn air ur clàradh

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English

Please complete the form below to register as a borrower.

Gaelic

Nach lìon sibh am foirm gu h-ìosal gus an tèid againn air ur clàradh mar iasadaiche?


  • Main Address

    If you are a student living away from home, enter your permanent address. If you are an education professional, this is your work address.
  • Alternative Address

    If you are a student living away from home, please give us your term-time address. We require a permanent address in addition to this one to be entered above. If you are an education professional, this is the address where we can reach you outside term-time.
  • Contact details

  • Friends

  • Are you currently a registered Friend of the Library?
  • Borrowing requirements

  • Scottish Poetry Library Mailing List

  • The SPL will never pass on your contact details to a third party or use them for any purpose other than those already outlined. You can withdraw your consent to receive the e-newsletter or updates at any time. You can unsubscribe by clicking a link at the bottom of each newsletter that reads ‘unsubscribe from this list’ or withdraw consent to receive the updates by emailing reception@spl.org.uk.

Cartoon of a baby chasing an old man into a history book
There are times when I think
of the knowledge we had as children...
Continue reading Being and Time
More from John Burnside
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John T. McCutcheon [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
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Scottish Poetry Library
5 Crichton's Close, Canongate
Edinburgh EH8 8DT
Tel: +44 (0)131 557 2876
© Scottish Poetry Library 2026.
The Scottish Poetry Library is a registered charity (No. SCO23311).
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Scottish Poetry Library
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