The Waterston Library of the SOC

Located in Waterston House, this is the most comprehensive ornithological library in Scotland. The collection features books, journals, and reports from around the world, with titles from Scotland and the north of England particulary well represented.

The Waterston Library contains almost 4000 books, and between 50 and 100 new titles are added each year. The books include virtually all the major British and International handbooks and country avifaunas, field identification guides, site guides, species monographs and a good selection of works on biology, conservation and bibliography.

The breadth of the journal holding is exceptionally good, including long runs of mainly English-language titles worldwide and numerous foreign-language (especially European) titles, many of which have English summaries. There is a complete set of Scottish local and observatory bird reports as well as many similar reports from the rest of Britain and Ireland.

The library includes a fine collection of books of an antiquarian nature, but the emphasis is on the library's role as an up-to-date working collection, not only for the professional ornithologist but also for the amateur, part-time birdwatcher of variable experience.

Anyone wishing to use the library, whether a Club member or not, is most welcome to do so. No appointment is usually necessary, but for access to rarer titles we recommend that you telephone before your visit to ensure that assistance is available. (Note that we may require proof of identity and address.)

Donations of ornithological books or journals, from members or others, are always welcome. Those which duplicate library holdings are offered for sale.

• List of periodicals (120KB PDF file)
• List of books by author (331KB PDF file)
• List of books by title (319KB PDF file)

NOTE: Within the Waterston Library we have a substantial holding of historically important archives. Ever since the selling of Regent Terrace, these records, notebooks, photographs, letters etc have been boxed up and held in the archive room. Now that the Library is fully operational, we are about to start work on shelving and organising this large amount of material. Regrettably, until this work is completed we are not really in a position to access anything very much and researchers should bear this in mind when asking to look at or search the archive. As we are having to rely on volunteers to do the work, we are unable to be certain when this will be completed. When we are in a position to deal properly with enquiries, we will advise members.