If you want to know anything about the history or heritage of West Lothian, or any of its towns or villages, try the West Lothian Local History Library. It has thousands of books, maps, photographs, archives and newspapers on all aspects of West Lothian's past, and there are also plenty of resources for tracing your family history in West Lothian.

Some of the books are old and rare, so they are for use in the library only, but many books can be borrowed like a normal library book. An ordinary library card can be used in the Local History Library, and there is also a small lending collection of local history books in every branch library.

Books held by the Library include histories of most of the towns and villages of West Lothian; biographies of famous people associated with the county; and books on the industries, agriculture, churches, societies, buildings and wildlife of the county.

It holds 1,100 maps covering all areas of West Lothian, and dating from the 17th century to the present day; and specialised maps showing geology, footpaths, railways, mines, etc. OS Namebooks for West Lothian parishes.

There are also some 10,000 photos and slides of all parts of West Lothian, dating from the late 19th century to the present day, plus several hundred videos of old gala days and other topics of local interest.

Local Newspapers include West Lothian Courier (1873 to date), Linlithgowshire Journal and Gazette (1891 to date), Midlothian Advertiser (1906-67). All these newspapers are available on microfilm and have been indexed. The index is also available on the library website

Resources for family history research include Census enumeration books (1841-1901) and Old Parish Registers for West Lothian Parishes; the International Genealogical Index for Scotland and Ireland; Monumental Inscriptions (pre-1855) in West Lothian Churchyards; the 1881 Census for Great Britain on CD-ROM; Confirmations and Inventories 1876-1933 for Scotland; West Lothian Poll and Hearth Tax Records, 1690s; some Kirk Session Records; Valuation Rolls (1855 to date); Voters' Rolls (1864 to date); and a range of Local Authority Records - Bathgate, Armadale, Whitburn and Linlithgow Burgh Councils, the old District Councils, Parochial Boards, Parish Councils, West Lothian County and District Councils, Lothian Regional Council, West Lothian Council.

See also West Lothian Archives and Records Management Service.