WHY LIBRARIES MATTER
Scottish Book Trust has undertaken independent research into the value and impact of public and school libraries in Scotland in partnership with the National Library of Scotland (NLS), the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC), and the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals in Scotland (CILIPS).
Scottish Book Trust has undertaken an independent research project, led by our Research and Evaluation Manager Éadaoín Lynch, to report on the value and impact of our public and school libraries – and showcase how they are intrinsic to removing inequity across many intersections of Scottish life.
We work across every local authority, striving to offer an opportunity for all people to tell their stories; as such, we are uniquely positioned to bear witness.
Methods include:
- Surveys of public and school librarians
- Interviews with public and school librarians
- Qualitative feedback from library users
- Quantitative data gathering on library opening hours and capacity
The full report, published in June 2025, reveals the vital and diverse role libraries play, while also unveiling the extent of closures and reduced services across Scotland over the past 16 years.
The research explores the profound impact that Scotland’s libraries have on their communities and the ways they bridge gaps for those facing the cost-of-living crisis and increasing poverty, digital inequality and the ongoing consequences of the Covid pandemic.
Our survey of 2,000 library users across the nation found that:
- 90% reported their library inspires their love of reading ‘a lot’
- Over 80% reported their library saves them money ‘a lot’
- 92% agreed their library is a safe space
READ THE FULL REPORT:
