The people of Midlothian have a strong interest in their cultural and industrial heritage and the Midlothian Local Studies Centre provides the community with a unique collection of resources. In addition, it provides access to Council documents stored in the Midlothian Records Centre and also stores a large amount of historical archival material on behalf of that centre.

The Centre holds a substantial collection of books, papers and documents covering all aspects of life in Midlothian, past and present. Books by and about local people are included in the collection, plus a wide range of general works on Scotland, including the Statistical Accounts and reports of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historic Monuments of Scotland. A collection of 19th-century directories proves very helpful to people trying to trace their family histories and to local historians.

The Centre stocks Ordnance Survey maps of the area on a variety of scales and from different periods, plus early maps and some estate plans.

A range of local and community newspapers from as far back as 1869 are held on paper, microfilm or in both formats, plus The Scotsman on microfilm since 1987.

There is also a large collection of press cuttings, programmes, pamphlets, photocopies of articles and research notes, and an extensive collection of photographs, postcards and engravings.

The Centre holds an almost complete set of Valuation Rolls from 1855 to the present day, plus the 1841-91 Census returns for Midlothian on microfilm and the index to the 1891 Census for the whole of Scotland

The International Genealogical Index 1988 edition ('The Mormon Index') is available on microfiche and also the old Parish Register index to 1854 for Scotland on microfiche, plus old Parish Registers for Midlothian parishes and some monumental inscriptions.

There is a varied collection of archival material from official and private sources, including the local authority archive, school log books and committee records as well as a range of private archives. Special collections include the Black Collection (currently held at Penicuik Library), an invaluable collection of material on Penicuik and press cuttings on the locality created and maintained by the Black Family.

Other services include study facilities at the centre with microfiche and microfilm readers and printers, as well as photocopying facilities. Various local history publications are available for sale.