Edinburgh Library Services Named Library of the Year

Three Edinburgh library services have been crowned Library of the Year winners at the 2026 British Book Awards. Oxgangs Library, Saughton Library at HMP Edinburgh and Edinburgh Libraries Mobile Library Service received the honour at Grosvenor House in London on May 11th, recognising the impact of their collaborative Secret Santa initiative over the festive period.

Part of the City of Edinburgh Library Service, the three teams were recognised for a project designed to tackle loneliness and support mental wellbeing among prisoners at HMP Edinburgh through the power of reading.

The initiative brought together staff from Oxgangs Library, Saughton Library and the Mobile Library Service to deliver personalised, gift-wrapped books to people in the lead-up to Christmas. Participants were asked about their reading interests and favourite genres, allowing library staff to carefully select books tailored to each individual.

Books were transported to the prison by the mobile library service over several weeks before being wrapped by Saughton Library staff and distributed on Christmas Eve alongside anonymous Christmas cards and bookmarks.
The programme saw around 16% of the prison population take part, with many engaging with the library service for the first time. Feedback from participants highlighted the positive impact the initiative had on wellbeing during what can be an especially difficult and isolating time of year.

The British Book Awards, run in partnership with The Reading Agency, celebrate libraries that make a meaningful difference within their communities and encourage people of all backgrounds to engage with reading.

The success of the Secret Santa project has also sparked conversations about how similar initiatives could be developed to support other vulnerable groups and communities in the future.