Bothwell Library has a long history of providing services to the community.

The Donald Institute was originally opened in October 1910 as a result of a generous donation of £3,000 by Mr. James Donald a businessman who was born in Bothwell and had made his fortune in chemical manufacturing. It was set up to improve the quality of life in a mining community and to act as a distraction from the pub. The Institute originally had a games room, a reading room and a billiard room at the rear with space for three tables. It was a natural home for the public library. The library is a grade C(S) listed building.

The library today has a wide range of best selling novels and free internet access. Bookbug sessions are on every Monday and a readers’ group takes place monthly. There is a small interesting local history collection that includes books, maps, statistical accounts, photographs and pamphlets. The Librarians would be grateful for any donations of appropriate local material to the collection. All the items are available for public reference.

There are two large posters on display in the Library that contain pictures of Bothwell “Then and Now”. Thursday, November 3rd saw the inauguration of our large television screen and digital display unit in the Library. This represents our largest and most complicated project to date and, together with financial support from Society members, it was funded by the generous contributions of local businesses and groups. Visitors to the Library, tourists as well as local people, can now have access to a screen showing aspects of our history and giving information about numerous local organisations. The programme is changed  at regular intervals to maintain interest.

Further information can be obtained by calling 01698 853150 or e-mailing bothwell@library.s-lanark.org.uk