Protecting Scotland’s Libraries: A plea to prioritise community wellbeing

An Open Letter from Pamela Tulloch, chief executive officer of the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC)

It’s no secret that Scotland’s libraries, along with the rest of our world-class culture sector, are currently embroiled in a perfect storm: budget pressures, reduced income generation, and rising costs have created a potent force for our services to contend with.

That’s why we’ve written to councillors across the City of Edinburgh, ahead of final decisions being taken on 2024/25 public spending, to not only remind them of the vast benefits a thriving public library service can provide, but to highlight those who stand to lose the most if our services are cut even further – communities across Edinburgh. 

The Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) is the advocacy body for Scotland’s network of over 500 public libraries – celebrating the creativity, commitment, and value that libraries offer the communities they serve. A lifeline of support for so many.

Our latest research, Scotland’s Public Library Survey, helps to demonstrate the immense value, trust, and appreciation that people across Edinburgh place in their library service. With over 93 per cent of respondents agreeing that using the library improves their quality of life, the pivotal role they play is clear.

This is best evidenced by:

• Closing the attainment gap by supporting children’s development, education and improving literacy through adulthood;
• Combatting social isolation and helping those struggling with mental health;
• Bridging the digital divide through free e-learning opportunities;
• Connecting rural and remote communities through mobile library provision; and
• Providing free IT equipment, employability sessions and activities to alleviate the impact of the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

This is supported by the poignant feedback shared by library users across Edinburgh. When asked about the positive impact library use had had on their life, one local commented:

“The library is a busy meeting place for groups, acting as a hub for all sorts of activities, including groups of parents and children who meet here to play. Staff at the library are very helpful in recommending books that suit my tastes.

“The library is a very social place with a lovely atmosphere and is welcoming place to go. It always cheers me up.”

This sentiment is common and is underpinned by a strong economic case: for every £1 invested into our libraries, there’s a return on investment of £6.95 for the local economy.

And it is to the credit of our public libraries that this is the case, despite budgets having been hollowed out over the past 14 years which has resulted in reduced opening hours and staffing levels.

Indeed, Scotland’s libraries remained the most frequently visited cultural places in 2022, and also enjoy the highest customer satisfaction rate of any local authority cultural service, at 89 per cent.

Now is the time for the City of Edinburgh Council’s elected members to give libraries the financial backing that they need – that they deserve – to continue delivering the public services which have become vital to communities across the country. 

This is more than a bid for culture funding – it’s a plea to prioritise community wellbeing.  We hope that all elected members will consider both the financial and social cost of not maintaining these essential services and use the upcoming budget period to protect the services that matter most to their constituents by ensuring continued investment in our libraries. 

Pamela Tulloch,

Chief executive officer of the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC)