Moir Library
The history of the Moir Library goes back to 1912 and is a classic example of how one man’s enthusiasm led to a valuable resource which is now available to benefit many others.
The collection consists of a Members’ Lending Library and a Rare Books’ Collection.
The Moir Lending Library
SBA Library Officer – Bron Wright email: bron.wright@scottishbeekeepers.org.uk
The Moir Lending Library (MLL) is a private library consisting of a collection of beekeeping books available for all current SBA Members to borrow, held within the City of Edinburgh Council’s Fountainbridge Library.
All Members must be accompanied in the MLL and therefore must make prior arrangements with the Library Officer if they wish to visit the library to borrow books.
The old system of using the SBA Membership Card for access is no longer valid.
Borrowing books
All Members must first contact the Library Officer by email, giving name and SBA membership number. A telephone contact number is useful too.
Give the title/s of the book/s you would like to borrow.
If the book is available, the most convenient way to get the book to the borrower will be organised.
- in person, usually at the Fountainbridge Library
- by post
Initially books are borrowed for one month, but arrangements can be made for longer.
Returning books
Borrowers are responsible for returning books.
- in person, arrangements for this should be made with the Library Officer.
- by post, postage cost is paid by the borrower.
Moir Lending Library Catalogues and Supplements
These contain the titles of books which are available to borrow, arranged by author and title, see below.
The most recent catalogue, 2019 to 2025, contains all the latest additions to the Moir Lending Library.
Library Boxes for ABAs
The lending of small collections of books to ABAs can be arranged by contacting the Library Officer. This may be of particular interest for groups studying for the SBA exams.
New Titles and Donations
We are always interested in suggestions for new titles and offers of donations of books, particularly those not already in the collection. For either of these, please contact the Library Officer.
The SBA Moir Rare Books’ Collection
This collection contains books on beekeeping, mostly published prior to the year 1801, although there are a few published a little later than that.
These books may not be borrowed.
The Collection is housed in the National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EW and can be visited by arrangement with the Library.
