Dunfermline Carnegie Library and Galleries

Libraries are often at the heart of a community. Andrew Carnegie understood this idea and made it a reality by funding over 2,500 libraries to be built in Scotland and all over the world. The first Carnegie library was established in Dunfermline, Scotland in 1883. However, it has experienced a great deal of growth and expansion since it first opened. So, join us as we journey to the Kingdom of Fife and explore the Dunfermline Carnegie Library and Galleries!

Beginnings and Growth

The Dunfermline Carnegie Library’s foundation stone was laid by Andrew’s mother, Margaret, in 1881 (you can read more about this and Andrew Carnegie in general in our article on the Andrew Carnegie Birthplace Museum). According to Canmore (Scotland’s National Record of the Historic Environment), when it officially opened to the public two years later, “facilities provided were a library room, ladies' and gentlemens' reading rooms, a recreation room, a smoking room, and a librarian's dwelling”.

The library was expanded in 1922 and again in 1993. The latter expansion included the addition of exhibition and meeting rooms. The most recent expansion, and perhaps the grandest of all, was completed in 2017. This added new exhibition spaces, research facilities, a children’s library, a café, and garden. More specifically, the new spaces allowed for a purpose-built museum and art gallery. The award-winning architecture is a fascinating integration of the old and new buildings (which you can see a bit in the exterior view pictured below).

Now that we’ve covered some of its history, let’s head into the Dunfermline Carnegie Library and Galleries for a wee tour.

The Library Today

The Library and Galleries are quite large as you can see from the building layout pictured below.

The Dunfermline Carnegie Library is a wonderful space for locals to take advantage of the wide selection of books for all ages as well as access to free computers. The Library is also home to the Murison Burns Collection which has been in its care since 1921. The books are available to see by appointment as they are kept in archive conditions.

The museum at the Dunfermline Carnegie Library and Galleries covers the history of the area with fascinating exhibitions that cover two floors.

Many famous people have come out of and been connected to Dunfermline, and one of the most well-known is the rock band, Nazareth. We were fortunate to see the band (including original member, Pete Agnew) play a couple of years ago at the Alhambra Theatre in Dunfermline. The museum does a great job at honouring this legendary band and so many others who have been associated with Dunfermline.

Of course, being a former royal burgh, Dunfermline is also known for its royal connections as it is home to Dunfermline Abbey and Palace (we have a post coming out on this soon). Most famously, Robert the Bruce and Queen/St. Margaret are buried there. The plethora of windows at the Library offer beautiful views over to the Abbey Church.

Here are a few more photos from the Museum:

The Carnegie Library and Galleries also hosts temporary exhibitions. Currently, they have ‘Hag: Knowledge, Power, and Alchemy Through Craft’ on display until the 8th of June.

After exploring the museum, you can refuel at The Granary Café. We had a wonderful lunch there and the food was delicious!

Be sure to stop into the Shop before you leave. They have a wide variety of items for sale related to the Library and Galleries as well as Dunfermline in general.

Last, but not least, as you make your way outside, take a meander through their garden. It’s a lovely place to sit down and have a peaceful moment as you take in the historic surroundings. There are also two delightful statues there related to the famous Robert Burns poem, Tam o’Shanter.

Well, that’s going to do it for this visit. The Dunfermline Carnegie Library and Galleries is run by the charity OnFife (Fife Cultural Trust). Be sure to check out their website to get the latest information on the Library to best plan your visit. We particularly love how they point out that “every penny we make is invested back into free and affordable entertainment and learning”. I think that’s a sentiment that Andrew Carnegie would appreciate and value- I know we do! Related to that, while admission is free, we highly encourage you to donate, if possible, to help keep this historic institution for future generations.

We love Dunfermline and have some great blog posts for attractions and historic sites from there coming out soon. Therefore, be sure to subscribe to our blog so you don’t miss those articles as well as our other adventures around Scotland. You can also follow our Golden Retriever tour guides, Walter and Arthur, who often feature on our social media channels as they explore Edinburgh and beyond! You can find us on Instagram, Bluesky, Facebook, Threads, YouTube, and TikTok.

Until next time- Explore & Discover!

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