The twinkle lights are up, the books are on the shelves, the food trucks have pulled up – oh yes, the Book Festival site at Edinburgh Futures Institute is ready for all the amazing authors, artists, costume characters, musicians, thinkers, dreamers, and, most importantly, YOU – our wonderful audience – to start arriving from Saturday. 9th August – i.e. TODAY!.
If you still haven’t decided what to come along to yet, we’ve got you! This e-news will give you plenty of events to pick from:
The 2025 What Kids Are Reading report includes insights from over 40,000 pupils in Scotland, and reveals children using structured reading programmes read 20.7 books a year, compared to just three books for UK adults
Children’s favourite books are harder—and they’re reading them better
From Wimpy Kid to Rashford: the books and authors inspiring a new generation of readers
The 2025 What Kids Are Reading report, published today by leading edtech provider Renaissance, includes data from over 40,000 pupils in Scotland and reveals how children’s reading habits are evolving across the UK and Ireland.
Drawing on data from over 1.2 million pupils, the report shows that five years on from the disruption of lockdown, young readers are engaging with more challenging books—and understanding them better.
Although the number of books read has declined slightly year-on-year, pupils still read on average 20.7 books a year—far more than the median UK adult, who reads just three.
In schools using Accelerated Reader, a structured programme that supports reading practice and comprehension, quiz scores have improved since last year. Primary pupils are now achieving 80% accuracy on reading quizzes (up from 77% last year), while secondary pupils have reached 72% (up from 69%).
Pupils are also scoring highest on their favourite books, many of which are more challenging than their most-read titles. In Year 5, for example, favourite books had a reading level nearly two years above the average for that age group, with quiz accuracy reaching 94%.
These patterns suggest that when pupils are given the freedom to choose books they love, they rise to the challenge—and understand them deeply.
Additional insights from the National Literacy Trust’s Annual Literacy Survey, included in the report, show that while overall reading enjoyment has declined to 35%, its lowest level since 2005, Accelerated Reader users buck the trend.
Among pupils eligible for Free School Meals (FSM), 37% of those using Accelerated Reader say they enjoy reading, compared to 32% of their peers.
A similar pattern appears among boys, with 31% of Accelerated Reader participants reporting enjoyment, versus 27% of non-participants—suggesting structured support may be helping to close the enjoyment gap.
This What Kids Are Reading report also shows how children’s reading habits are changing. Jeff Kinney remains the most-read author across UK schools, with Diary of a Wimpy Kid still topping the charts.
But newer voices are gaining ground. Titles by Marcus Rashford, Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara and Matt Oldfieldare now among the most-read books in schools.
Books such as The Breakfast Club Adventures, Little People, BIG DREAMS, and Black Men in Science mean more pupils are seeing their experiences reflected in the stories they read—supporting not only literacy development but also helping pupils see themselves in the stories they read—fostering confidence, connection, and a lifelong love of reading.
Crispin Chatterton, Director of Education at Renaissance, said: “This year’s What Kids Are Reading report highlights the real progress schools are making in helping children read with greater understanding.
“It’s especially encouraging to see disadvantaged pupils reporting higher enjoyment of reading in school—showing how targeted support can help more children build confidence and enjoyment in reading.
“At Renaissance, we’re proud to work alongside schools to create inclusive, engaging reading experiences that help all pupils succeed.”
Professor Keith Topping, author of the report, commented: “This year’s findings are encouraging. The narrowing of the enjoyment gap, particularly among disadvantaged pupils, suggests that structured reading time and access to tools like Accelerated Reader are making a real difference.
“When pupils enjoy reading, they read more — and when they read more, they achieve more.”
Ratho primary and nursery pupils were treated to a special reading from Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated Axel Scheffler at Ratho Library on Wednesday (11 June).
The children were also each gifted a copy of the classic story, which has inspired a special artwork inside the new Ratho Library. This was unveiled when the library opened its doors in March.
A quote from the book was chosen by the local community in 2023, when a public vote was held to select words for the artwork from a range of beloved children’s books. The winning quote is now displayed above the children’s library section, alongside illustrations of Rowena frog and other characters from the book.
Each child who attends the early years centre adjacent to the new library was given a copy of Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book by publishers Macmillan Children’s Books to celebrate its opening.
Culture and Communities Convener Councillor Margaret Graham said: “It’s wonderful to see some of our youngest library-goers enjoying the new space at Ratho, and even better, their very own copies of Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book!
“I recently visited the library and was really impressed with all that’s on offer, including this striking artwork, which clearly has the community at its heart. Their involvement, along with our dedicated team at the library and Macmillan Children’s Books, has helped to create a design which will inspire young minds for years to come.
“Thanks to Julia Donaldson, Axel Scheffler and Macmillan for their support throughout this process, including the gift of these books to our local nursery pupils, which I know will be well-loved.”
Julia Donaldson said:“I have long campaigned on the valuable role that public libraries play in communities and in developing a love of books, and I am very pleased that there is now this new library in Ratho.
“I want to thank everyone who voted to see ‘Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book’ featured on the walls in the children’s area and I hope this joyful space introduces a new generation of readers to stories they will treasure for life.”
Axel Scheffler said:“It is an honour to know that ‘Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book’ was chosen by the local community in Ratho to feature in their new library.
“I would like to thank them all and also the librarian team who have worked so hard to make this happen. I am so pleased that Rowena frog and Charlie will welcome young readers into the children’s area and I hope they will inspire families to discover great new books together.”
On Wednesday, pupil librarians from Ratho Primary School helped publishers Macmillan Children’s Books to gift a copy of the book to a small group of nursery children to then take back to share with the other children at the nursery.
Ratho Library offers a broad range of services to customers, including access to a wide variety of digital and printed books, free public access to computers, free public Wi-Fi, collection of NHS hearing Aid batteries, support with National Entitlement Cards alongside an exciting programme of events and activities for children and adults.
The library will host Tech Donation Boxes later in the year where everyday tech devices can be upcycled.
Edinburgh International Book Festival returns in 2025 with a vibrant and relevant programme that showcases world literature and tacklestopics including geopolitics, disinformation, and the climate emergency, putting robust and dynamic discussion on a global stage
Repair is the Book Festival’s core theme for 2025, seeking to explore the many things around us which feel broken, and how we might seek to fix them – from the physical to the political, the emotional to the environmental, and beyond
At a time when UK literacy rates are decreasing, the Book Festival continues to support year-round access to reading through its Communities Programme, and by livestreaming over 100 events to libraries across twelve Scottish local authorities this August.
Literary icons ranging from Maggie O’Farrell to Irvine Welsh, international stars R F Kuang and Asako Yuzuki, political stalwarts Nicola Sturgeon and Diane Abbott, and prominent commentators Naga Munchetty and Ash Sarkar join this year’s lineup, as well as stars of the stage and screen, including Brian Cox, Ruth Jones, Adam Buxton, Viggo Mortensen, and Vanessa Redgrave
Words and music unite in a series of special events supported by the Scottish Government Expo Fund, including a brand-new commission from local indie music legend Hamish Hawk reinterpreting the eccentric work of Ivor Cutler, and performances from Mallachy Tallack, Simone Seales, and Mele Broomes
Brand-newYoung Adults programme curates events especially for those aged 30 and under, inspired by digital publishing and cultural trends, and spanning romantasy, sci-fi, horror, health, food and wellness, and more, responding to a generation increasingly interested in social, cultural and political conversations and exploration
New and dedicatedKids Zone brings much-needed hub for families amongst the hustle and bustle of Edinburgh’s festival landscape – making it a unique oasis this August – alongside more than 100 dedicated events, including a retrospective from Jacqueline Wilson
The Book Festival’s Spiegeltent will return with exciting poetry, spoken word, and music offerings, giving audiences a chance to discover the magic of live performance
New ticket pricing for Under 30s, and many events priced at £5 for those receiving low-income benefits, to tackle economic barriers to attendance
The Festival returns to Edinburgh Futures Institute, right at the heart of the festival footprint, with 641 writers from 35 countries, across 6 continents
Edinburgh International Book Festivalannounces its 2025 programme with close to 700 events featuring writers from all over the globe, taking place from 09-24 August, as it returns to Edinburgh Futures Institute (EFI) for the second year, inspiring vital discussion and dissection of the cultural zeitgeist on a global stage.
With a lineup ranging from Yellowface author R F Kuang, who appears as part of the festival’s newly programmed Young Adults strand, which directly responds to topics of social and cultural importance often driven by the digital landscape, to firm festival favourites Denise Mina, Chris Brookmyre, V E Schwab, and Ali Smith, there is something for every audience to enjoy. In a first for the August Festivals, the Book Festival also unveils plans for a dedicated children’s zone, offering families an oasis away from the bustle of the city this summer.
The key theme this year is Repair, with the Festival seeking to explore the many things around us which feel broken, and how we might seek to fix them. Using informed insights from a range of experts, lessons learned from our ancestors, the richness and connection offered by the natural world, hands-on activities, and our own inherent humanity, the Festival offers a wide range of active opportunities to rebalance the mind, reinvigorate the spirit, reconcile with others, and restore a sense of calm and hope in the face of a world in chaos.
The theme will be explored from every angle including by Robert Macfarlane, Louise Welsh, and ‘barrister for the earth’ Monica Feria-Tinta discussing the beinghood of nature with debate around whether rivers should be granted personhood, and political repair and conflict resolution will be in the spotlight as human rights lawyer Philippe Sands and journalist Steve Crawshaw ask whether ‘justice’ can really be restored. Elsewhere historian Olesya Khromeychuk and journalist Jen Stout honour the legacy of Ukrainian novelist and war crimes researcher Victoria Amelina, who died from injuries caused by a Russian missile attack, and Omar El Akkad, Katie Kitamura and Yiyun Li extol the role that literacy and reading have in maintaining a democracy.
Indigenous Australian writer Melissa Lucashenko,and Anishinaabe journalist and author Tanya Talaga illuminate First Nations perspectives on truth, legacy, and repair, while artist, musician, performer, and writer Siôn Parkinson and mycologist Nicholas P Money champion the infinite potential of mushrooms, and journalist Ash Sarkar will wade right into the middle of the culture wars.
There will also be interactive events such as trying the Japanese art of kintsugi with Halle O’Neal, and exploring ‘multisolving’ with Alex Pearson.
Jenny Niven, Director of Edinburgh International Book Festival, said: “This year’s key theme of Repair starts from the belief that the brilliant ideas of writers and thinkers can help us repair a host of seemingly ‘broken’ things in our society, from the cycle of fast fashion and our relationship with the environment, to cultural reparations and the state of our politics. It’s a statement of hope and resilience, and an invitation for our audiences to think about what repair might mean for them.
“At a time when important conversations can feel impossible to have without igniting conflict and anger, we want the Edinburgh International Book Festival to provide a safe place for challenging but considered discussions.
“This year our programme features over 600 writers and artists from 35 countries, who have a wide range of perspectives on topics of personal, social and global importance. We invite you to come and learn something new, feed your curiosity and to broaden your horizons.
“The Book Festival is also a space for play and creativity, and we have an imaginative feast in store for audiences too – from stories from all around the world, to commissions of brand-new music and theatre, a Frankenstein themed cabaret, and a brand-new Kids Zone for our youngest audiences and their families, as well as a dedicated Young Adults programme for the very first time. So we hope people can have a fully rounded experience, all under one roof. We can’t wait to see you there!”
The 2025 programme will hinge around a range of new themes. Hundreds of the world’s best fiction writers, including many of Scotland’s most exciting voices, and dozens of debut authors, will share their new and most notable works in the Brilliant Fiction strand. Leith legend Irvine Welsh continues the antics of the Trainspotting crew through the 1980s and 90s, A L Kennedy exploresthe nature of justice and mercy, and the power of Andrey Kurkov hope and kindness; Judy Murray plays a match of mystery and murder; Bella Mackie brings us a comical mystery of fatal family dynamics; and Girl on the Train author Paula Hawkins introduces her new thriller.
The Festival also gathers some of the most exciting fiction writers working internationally, including Korea’s Hwang Sok-yong, Ukraine’s Andrey Kurkov, Spain’s Javier Cercas, China’s Liu Zhenyun, Brail’s Cacica Juma Xipaia, France’s Laurent Binet, Aotearoa-New Zealand’s Becky Manawatu, and Germany’s Daniel Kehlman.
The recently announced Front List series will return for the second year at McEwan Hall, in partnership with Underbelly, to present an expanded series of exciting events representing the breadth of the Book Festival’s offering, with a star-studded host of authors which includes Maggie O’Farrell, Ta-Nehisi Coates , Nicola Sturgeon,Yulia Navalnaya, Ian McEwan, R F Kuang,Ally McCoist,Ruth Jones, Butter author Asako Yuzuki, Mark Kermode and guest Brian Cox.
Fascinating Non-Fiction will explore everything from moving memoirs to scientific excavations, family odysseys to travelogues. Highlights include Naga Munchetty exposing the misogyny she discovered to be rife throughout the British healthcare system, smash-hit podcaster Adam Buxton rambling on in his inimitable manner with his new memoir, I Love You, Byeee, indefatigable comedian Ivo Graham extolling the benefits of failure, and Labour politician Diane Abbott discusses her inspirational new memoir, A Woman Like Me.
Good Information, brings together a host of trustworthy experts well versed in sifting out hard fact and cutting through murky algorithms to give you an honest account of a diverse range of topics.
Highlights include technology adviser to the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales Richard Susskind explaining the impacts of AI, Gabriel Gatehouse, Deborah Baker, and Leor Zmigrod exploring why conspiracy theories can be so seductive, and Deborah Frances-White tackling how to have difficult conversations.
New World Orders gathers the most authoritative voices across international and domestic politics, conflict, economics, and law to engage with and dissect current affairs. Vince Cable explores the emergence of new superstates and a host of voices including Avi Shlaim, Ilan Pappé, Pankaj Mishra, Penny Johnson, Raja Shehadeh, Anne Applebaum, Omar El Akkad, and Fady Judah unravel the long and catastrophic history between Israel and Palestine, including the most recent and devastating series of attacks.
Brainwaves holds up a magnifying glass to all things cranial, including mental health, neuroscience, and psychology. A host of scientists, psychologists, technologists, and authors offer their insights into the wonders, and limitations, of what lies between our ears (and beyond), including mathematician Marcus du Sautoy’s exploration of the creativity of numbers, Joseph Jebelli’s treatise for the transformative power of rest, and Lucy Easthope’s framework on how to cope with crisis.
The 2025 Festival will also see the return of some of 2024’s most popular programme themes, including How to Live a Meaningful Life, guiding audiences new and deeper ways of creating connection, resilience and hope, amongst the chaos, and the expanded Table Talks series, with top chefs and food writers taking to the stage – or rather around the table – in intimate gatherings with audiences to enjoy delicious food and make memories together.
Music, Poetry and Performance showcases the very best of the poetry and spoken word sphere at the Festival’s Spiegletent, which will return for the second year, including indie songwriter Hamish Hawk with an original and exclusive homage to Scotland’s pre-eminent poet-eccentric Ivor Cutler, andfresh poetic talent alongside well-established voices like Poet Laureate Simon Armitage, Makar Peter Mackay, Karen McCarthy Woolf, Len Pennie and Michael Mullen.
Elsewhere, Olivier Award-winning Harriet Walter gives an overdue voice to the women of Shakespeare, a starry cast including Vanessa Redgrave and Viggo Mortensen perform powerful messages of protest from around the world in The People Speak, and Radiohead bassist Colin Greenwood shares the band’s intimate inside story.
Special Editions also brings a selection of quirky and upbeat events including cabaret, live podcasts, and exclusive talks. Val McDermid unveils the world premiere reading of her brand-new play, And Midnight Never Come, Outlander’s Sam Heughan raises a glass to the art of the cocktail and the moments they’ve marked on his incredible journey, Caroline O’Donoghue’s wildly popular Sentimental Garbage podcast returns with another live Book Festival edition, and comedian Tim Key tells of high tales and low moments in Hollywood.
Audiences will have the chance to take an in-depth look at the little details that make a writer’s work really sing or expand on their own creative skills with an exciting range of Workshops. From How to Become a Bookbinder with Rachel Hazell, to exploring the archives of Muriel Spark and Jackie Kay at the National Library of Scotland (the latter with the author herself) and engaging with some of the most knowledgeable minds around, not least Booker Prize-winning novelist and screenwriter Eleanor Catton.
And our wide-ranging Thought Exerciseseriesoffers the chance to engage in deep discussion with figures including Pulitzer Prize finalist Deborah Baker, author and psychoanalyst Josh Cohen, diplomat and former Ambassador to Afghanistan, Azerbaijan and Russia, Laurie Bristow, and economist John Kay.
The Festival will also debut a brand-new Young Adults programme with events tailored to audiences aged 30 and under (but open to anyone young at heart!). Highlights include Alice Oseman, creator of the smash-hit Heartstopper series, returning to the Festival, model and activist Munroe Bergdorf discussing everything from beauty standards to cancel culture, and Caroline O’Donoghue showcasing her new YA sci-fi fantasy romance.
The strand will also harness the power of the online literary sphere, byincluding a collaboration with the brilliant House of YA, Sad Ghost Club’s Lize Meddings, a special Festival edition of the Bookshop Crawl UK, and the first Scottish edition of the Insta-popular Buffy’s Book Club with Lizzy Hadfield.
Our youngest audience members can enjoy a brand-new Kids Zone, providing a much-needed hub for families amongst the hustle and bustle of Edinburgh’s festival landscape.
This year’s children’s programme will also include more than 100 exciting events for young readers, including from legendary children’s authors such as Michael Rosen, Jacqueline Wilson, and How to Train Your Dragon’s Cressida Cowell.
There are also dozens of free, drop-in events, including the return of the popular Are You Sitting Comfortably? and Bookbug storytimes, a chance to go wild with National Museums Scotland, and the opportunity to meet beloved characters including Pikachu, the Gruffalo, and Supertato.
Community-driven events are also aplenty, with Stories and Scran celebrating the dynamic and thought-provoking work created by communities across Edinburgh and beyond, and Together We Repair challenging local writers and poets to respond to the Festival’s core theme.
During August, the Festival’s Communities team will also facilitate off-site learning events with leading writers in 9 prisons across the city, 3 workshops with patients at Edinburgh’s Royal Hospital for Children & Young People, and 2 interactive sessions with users of Streetreads, the library for the homeless community of Edinburgh.
For the second year, the Book Festival will also present its flagship industry event, Global Ink: Discover the Power of International Collaboration– uniting publishing professionals from around the world for thought-provoking discussion, followed by a vibrant drinks reception to spark new connections.
In addition to the Festival’s main base at EFI, there will be events at McEwan Hall and Elliott’s Studio, as well as special offerings at the National Library of Scotland and Dynamic Earth.
For those who cannot attend in person, 100+ events will be livestreamed and available on demand to audiences across the world to watch wherever and whenever they prefer, including to libraries in twelve Scottish local authorities. And for the first time, in addition to dozens of events being live captioned, the Festival will use AI to bring the number of captioned events to 500, meaning that an additional 400 events will be more accessible than ever before.
As well as reduced ticket prices for students, anyone over 60 and guests with access requirements, the Festival also introduces a special new ticket pricing for Under 30s, and £5 tickets for many events for those receiving low-income benefits, to tackle economic barriers to engagement.
The Edinburgh International Book Festival is made possible thanks to the support of a range of funders and supporters including Creative Scotland, Edinburgh City Council, Players of People’s Postcode Lottery among others.
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’
Embrace your children’s choices, make reading relevant and try technology
On this annual celebration on Thursday 6th March, World Book Days charity is supporting parents with easy solutions to unlock the benefits of reading for fun for children.
Numerous studies show that reading for enjoyment has life-changing benefits, but research also confirms reading it is at its lowest levels since records began in 2005 – with only 1 in 3 UK children saying they enjoy it (National Literacy Trust). So what can we do to help children find the fun in reading before it’s too late?
Generational Decline in Reading for Fun
New research carried out by World Book Day and kids’ insights consultancy Beano Brain among 1,066 children aged 8-14 years old and their parents reveals that children are much less likely to grow up as readers if their parents don’t read.
Parents who don’t consider themselves as readers are much less likely to read with their children, with only 59% saying they do, compared to 71% of those who identify as readers. Additionally, parents who were not encouraged by their own parents to read (12% of those polled), are twice as likely to say they don’t encourage their child to read (15% versus 7% of readers.)
Reading to children is a vital support in ensuring children read for fun themselves; research shows that children who are read to often are much more likely to read on a daily basis – almost half of 5-7s (46%) and almost three quarters (73%) of 8-13s.
However, reading avoidance is being passed down, with the children of non-readers almost twice as likely to hold negative attitudes towards reading.
Almost a third of this group (31%) say they avoid reading as much as possible (compared to 17% of children of readers), and that they don’t read for fun as books are boring (30% versus 16%). On the converse, three-quarters of children who think their parents enjoy reading for fun want to read more themselves.
Furthermore, a quarter (24%) say they haven’t found any books they like (versus 13%), and one in 10 (10%) say they don’t have access to books (versus 4%).
Judgement is also a significant problem for both parents and their children. While overall 17% of parents feel judged by other parents about what and how their child reads, this increases to 26% for those who consider themselves non-readers. Meanwhile, almost one in five (18%) children say they feel judged for their reading choices at home.
How to turn the tide
Even if they don’t read themselves, there are some simple fixes for families to lock in the benefits of reading for future generations, which OECD states are vital to a child’s future success, more so than family background or income (OECD, 2021).
We asked children what they need from grown-ups to support them to read for fun.
Choice and lack of judgement
Positive affirmation works wonders; 2 in 5 children think reading is best when they feel like they’re good at it (40%), while 30% say it’s best when they feel confident and encouraged
Over a quarter of children (28%) say that if they were nagged less about reading they’d enjoy it more, while over a third of children say they cannot choose what they want to read at home (34%) or at school (35%)
1 in 4 children say they’re encouraged to read things they simply don’t want to, which also makes many children feel confused or overwhelmed when it comes to making reading choices (23%), creating further barriers to enjoyment.
Be relevant and reflecttheir world
Over a quarter (28%) of children say they would read more if the books helped them learn about things they are interested in, so focusing on their passions and hobbies can encourage the habit, while more than one in five children (21%) also say that alternative reading formats, including audio books, comics and graphic novels, help them like it
In a world of multiple distractions, let’s say reading AND screens, not reading OR screens. Over half (56%) of parents of 11-14-year-olds say their child would rather go online than read, rising to 94% among kids who are non-readers. Over a quarter (26%) of kids also say they would read more if books were as engaging as computer games, while almost the same (23%) say they would read more if the books featured characters from their favourite TV shows, films or games
New research from National Literary Trust shows that 42% of children aged between eight and 18 said they enjoyed listening to audiobooks and podcasts. A fifth (21%) of Gen Z parents say their children are already listening to audiobooks as a way encourage reading for fun.
Try fitting reading for fun into family life, whatever that looks like.
Modern life is often stressful and hectic, so reading together can fall down the list. But children who read with their parents, often want to read more themselves, whether this is reading before bed (51%), reading next to each other on the sofa (45%) or listening to audiobooks in the car (20%).
We offers lots of resources to help make these activities and conversations about reading easier.
There is also a lack of awareness from some parents of the life benefits that reading at home can bring, plus a belief that it is school’s job alone to read with children5.
Cassie Chadderton, CEO of World Book Day says: “To turn the tide and get more children reading for fun, we all need to recognise what our children are enjoying and reflect that in what they read.
“Our job as a charity is to get more children experiencing the life changing benefits of choosing reading, so let’s listen to children and give them reasons to find reading fun.
“Supporting choice and embracing technology are simple steps to address our growing reading crisis, unlocking the benefits of reading for fun for generations to come.”
Streetreads Library, a vital community space, based in Nicholson Square in Edinburgh, which serves 150-200 people experiencing homelessness every week, is facing closure after unexpectedly being served an eviction notice.
The well-used independent service, operated by Simon Community Scotland and solely reliant on donations and fundraising, provides not just books but a sense of belonging and hope to those who visit. It currently costs around £75,000 a year to run.
Fiona Williamson, Head of Service for Simon Community Scotland in Edinburgh, said: “We are devastated and deeply concerned about the impact this will have on people who use the library.
“Streetreads opened in 2021 and has grown exponentially alongside the people we support. There will be a huge gap in services and support while we seek new premises, as our appeal for more time to find an alternative site has sadly been declined.
“At very little cost, Streetreads creates immeasurable value for the city. Losing this space is not just a blow for the most vulnerable and isolated people in our city — it’s a setback for Edinburgh as a whole.”
Michelle, a regular visitor to the space, said: “Streetreads is more than a library— it’s a sanctuary. It’s the only place where I feel human.”
With up to 100 people rough sleeping in Edinburgh and over 5000 people living in homelessness accommodation, the need for safe spaces has never been greater.
Simon Community Scotland is urgently seeking a new location to ensure no one is left without this lifeline service.
The charity needs funds to help secure the right space that will meet the needs of the people being supported, including mental health support, creative writing and arts, educational opportunities, advice, community and hope, as well as the opportunity to find a quiet, warm, safe space to read, get a cup of tea and have a chat.
Lorraine McGrath, CEO for Simon Community Scotland, said: “The need for safe places, support and hope has never been greater.
“This eviction underscores the growing challenges facing people in Edinburgh who are increasingly at risk of homelessness and all the related harm and trauma. We need urgent support to find a new home for Streetreads. We have been advised that alternative premises are likely to add an additional £20,000 a year to running costs.”
Award-winning authors Ian Rankin and Michael Pederson have voiced their support for the charity.
Rebus creator Ian Rankin, said: “I’ve known and supported Streetreads from the very beginning and always enjoyed visiting the library and drop-in centre.
“I’m so hoping that suitable accommodation can be found for this crucial enterprise. Streetreads means the world to its many users.”
Michael Pedersen, writer in residence at The University of Edinburgh and Edinburgh’s Makar (Poet Laureate), said: “Streetreads Library is an incredible, crucial, and vital resource to Edinburgh and Scotland beyond.
“It’s refuge and salvation, it’s connection and inspiration, and so so much more. I’ve been awe-struck by the work they do, their warmth and innovation, and the enthusiasm their clients have for the space, its people and the facilities.
“Quite frankly, it’s invaluable. And all this from a library that’s only in its infancy (in the grand scheme of things). We need to be growing it, supporting it, championing it and celebrating it. It’s a model for others to learn from, to follow, but only if we rally behind them now and henceforth.
“What a formidable loss this location would be, a beacon of hope taken from the chest chamber of our capital city.”
Fiona Williamson added: “This isn’t just a library—it’s a lifeline. This is a chance for Edinburgh to show its spirit and solidarity. We’re asking landlords, businesses, and community members to help us to secure the right space which requires investment and funding.
“I am excited that together, we can ensure no one is left without the safety, opportunities, learning and hope that is provided by this vital service.”
Scottish Book Trust, the national charity transforming lives through reading and writing, has today announced the seventh cohort of Ignite Fellows, a prestigious award which supports established writers working on a significant project. The 2025 Fellows include Edinburgh-based writers Katie Goh and Carol Farrelly.
Ignite Fellows receive a £2,500 bursary and creative support tailored to suit their individual projects. Gaelic writer Seaonaidh Charity, based in the Highlands, has also been awarded an Ignite Fellowship this year.
Katie Goh is a writer and editor. Katie’s award-nominated essays, journalism and criticism have appeared in publications including Port, The Guardian, Wasafiri, i-D, Dazed and Gal-dem, and she is an editor for Extra Teeth and Gutter magazines.
Katie is the author of The End: Surviving the World Through Imagined Disasters, which was shortlisted for the inaugural Kavya Prize in 2022, and Foreign Fruit, their debut memoir, which will be published by Canongate in 2025.
Katie grew up in the north of Ireland and now lives in Edinburgh.
Katie Goh said: ‘I am delighted and honoured to be the recipient of an Ignite Fellowship.
“The Fellowship will support a creative non-fiction project, and I am grateful to Scottish Book Trust for this opportunity to further develop my writing as I take the plunge with a new book.’
Carol Farrelly is a fiction writer from Glasgow. Her short stories have appeared in journals such as Granta, Stand and New Writing Scotland, and have been commissioned by BBC Radio 4.
In 2021, her story ‘Turnstones’ won the Commonwealth Short Story Prize for the Canada & Europe region.
She has been shortlisted for the Society of Authors’ Tom-Gallon Trust Award, the Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize, the Bridport Prize and the Alpine Fellowship. She is a previous Scottish Book Trust New Writer and Robert Louis Stevenson Fellow.
Carol holds a DPhil on Thomas Hardy’s fiction and is a graduate of the University of Glasgow’s MLitt Creative Writing programme. She is currently working on a novel, which travels from Dublin to Dumfries and Galloway.
Carol Farrelly said: ‘I am thrilled to receive an Ignite Fellowship: it’s such a gift. I cannot thank Scottish Book Trust enough for giving me the resources and support to focus on my work.
“Let the new year begin!’
Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, said: ‘Congratulations to our three new Ignite Fellows, who are very deserving of this award.
“The Ignite Fellowship provides writers with essential mentoring, financial assistance and practical support that will help them reach new heights in their careers.
“We’re thrilled to support these writers on their next chapters and look forward to seeing how their projects progress.’
