The impact of Scotland's libraries

Scotland's school libraries have no national mandate for adequate library provision. Scotland's public libraries, though they do face a national mandate for adequate library provision, have no enforced standard for what that must offer. As a result, across the public and school library sector, Scotland's communities face a lack of equitable access.

Scottish Book Trust is undertaking 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

This hub serves as a platform to share findings and resources throughout the research project. Key findings and reporting will be published here at the close.

Preliminary findings – School librarian surveys

Following the surveys circulated to librarians in autumn/winter 2023–24, Scottish Book Trust has prepared separate preliminary findings reports for Scotland's primary and secondary school libraries. 

The 'Main summary' document offers a high-level synopsis and comparison of primary and secondary school findings.

These findings showcase how school librarians across Scotland are passionate about their work, dedicated to their pupils, innovative and resourceful in their activity, and a stalwart correction to dis- and misinformation online. However, these findings also demonstrate the impact of drastic funding cuts, restrictions and competing demands on dedicated library spaces, and limited staff time and resource. 

Preliminary findings – Public librarian survey

Following the surveys circulated in autumn/winter 2023–24, Scottish Book Trust has prepared a preliminary findings report on Scotland's public libraries.

These findings showcase the pressures faced by the library sector, the successes delivered by indefatigable library workers and the profound impact that libraries have on their communities in terms of digital inclusion, reading for pleasure, learning opportunities and active citizenship.

Next steps

Scottish Book Trust is currently compiling the final report, combining highlights from the preliminary findings above, as well as analysis of (a) quantitative data from the public domain, (b) research interviews with public and school librarians across Scotland, and (c) a hugely successful library user survey, which gathered nearly 2,000 responses representing all of Scotland's local authorities.

The final report will include recommendations arising from this comprehensive and mixed methods research, and will launch in early 2025.

Any queries, including press and media queries, can be sent to the Research and Evaluation team at [email protected](this link will open in a new window).