John Dean – Crime Writer

A report into Scotland’s public and school libraries has underlined their importance to the communities they serve.

The Scottish Book Trust’s survey of 2,000 library users, carried out in partnership with the National Library of Scotland, the Scottish Library and Information Council and the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals in Scotland, found that 90% of respondents said that their library inspires their love of reading ‘a lot’.

More than 80% reported that their library saves them money ‘a lot’ and 92% viewed their local library as a safe space.

Worryingly, the researchers received many comments from people concerned with the imminent or recent closure of libraries – the report said that 97 of Scotland’s public libraries closed between 2008 and 2024 (more than 1 in 8, or 16%).

You can read the full story in the Libraries News section of the website