Local Studies Discovery Room: Plan Your Visit
The Local Studies Discovery Room is a reference and research facility serving the Airdrie, Coatbridge and Cumbernauld areas. You can find us on the first floor at Airdrie Public Library.
Visit the Airdrie Local Studies Discovery Room if you are:
- Searching for your ancestors
- Looking for old photographs of the area
- A teacher with a class engaged in investigating their local area
- Writing a thesis or essay on local history
- Investigating the history of a piece of local property
- Starting a project on a local theme
- Planning an anniversary celebration of a local club or organisation
- Wishing to use local material in reminiscence work
- Needing inspiration for a novel, article or short story
- A voter in the Airdrie & Shotts Constituency area wishing to check the current Electoral Register
Opening Hours
We are reopening with bookable slots on Wednesday, Thursdays and Fridays 10.30am – 1.30pm and 2pm – 4pm.
Use our booking form or call 01236 758073.
Getting There
Location
Airdrie Local Studies Discovery Room is on the upper level (first floor) of Airdrie Public Library, Wellwynd, Airdrie ML6 0AG (approximately 100m west of Airdrie Cross in Airdrie Town Centre).
Transport
Bus
Airdrie town centre is served by numerous local and longer distance bus services. Transportation links are possible to all the main routes in Central Scotland.
Train
Airdrie Railway Station at Cairnhill Road is a 5 minute walk away from Airdrie Library. It is on the Glasgow North Electric Line (Drumgelloch – Coatbridge – Glasgow – Helensburgh/Balloch) and trains are every 15 minutes for most of the day. Connections are possible to all parts of the country
Car
Airdrie Public Library has no dedicated car park or street parking. Free car parks and limited street parking are to be found within 5 minutes walking distance of the Library.
Disabled access
Disabled access to Airdrie Public Library ground floor is via a ramp to a side entrance. Access to the upper floor, where the Local Studies Discovery Room is located, may be obtained via a spacious passenger lift.
Admission
Admission is free.
Group Visits
Please contact us to arrange group visits.
Schools : Classes of up to 35 can be accommodated for visits, depending on the activity. Workshops / talks on “Our Local Area”, “Victorian Airdrie / Coatbridge” and “The Home Front” (WW2) are available. Visits to Local Studies can be linked to general visits to Airdrie Library.
Local Groups/Societies: Parties of up to 20 adults can be accommodated. Workshops on “Tracing your Family Tree for beginners” are available.
Help With Your Research
If you are unable to visit Airdrie Local Studies in person, we offer to carry out research on your behalf for a maximum of 2.5 hours. The first half hour is free of charge; thereafter an hourly rate is applied. Contact the Local Studies Officer for current charges.
Reproductions
A photocopier is available to the general public for copying of items up to A3 size.
Microfilm reader/printers allow visitors to view and print from our microfilm holdings of newspapers, census returns and Old Parish Records.
Refreshments
There are a number of outlets within a short walking distance of the library that can provide refreshments.