The Local Studies Service aims to provide information and help with research on all aspects of Aberdeen and the surrounding area from the earliest period of history to the present day. Our resources include:

- books from sixteenth century early printed books to the latest local publications and covering the whole spectrum of local studies; parish and local histories, biographies and family history, education, literature and architecture
- local authority minutes and development plans
- electoral and valuation rolls
- a wide selection of local interest periodicals, available on microfilm
- a complete file of the Aberdeen Post Office Directory 1824-1982 and the Aberdeen Almanac 1753-1933 (early years incomplete), succeeded by the Northern Year Book 1934-1952
- over 50,000 public records including Obituary Index, Marriage Index, List of Paupers, Periodical Index and Newspaper Index
- an extensive collection of historical photographs covering buildings, streets and harbour scenes in the City.