Public libraries provide a population-scale platform for population-scale public health issues. With 50% of people in Scotland using public libraries, they provide substantial reach through their core services, such as books and computers, as well as through tailored health and wellbeing services.
Their impact on people’s wellbeing, mental health, social isolation or feelings of loneliness means they play an important part in contributing towards improving the health and wellbeing of the Scottish population.
This research report investigates the health and wellbeing offer from public libraries in Scotland and uncovers the large scale of services and activities that are available. Many schemes have been developed in partnership between libraries and health services, although there is scope to create stronger links particularly in some regions. Availability of specific initiatives varies locally but a common definition of the health and wellbeing offer from public libraries encapsulates the broad approach:
Libraries and library staff contribute towards improving people’s health and wellbeing through provision of health-related information in a range of formats; signposting people to other relevant information and organisations; providing health-related activities, services and groups based at the library; and by helping people with their (digital) health information literacy skills so that they have the confidence to find appropriate information for themselves, all within a trusted and welcoming community space with friendly knowledgeable staff.
The health and wellbeing offer from public libraries complements medical provision and is part of the whole system approach to health and wellbeing, having a particular beneficial impact on people’s feelings of wellbeing, confidence and ability to self-manage. Published literature and research undertaken as part of this study highlights:
- the incredible range of the library health and wellbeing offer;
- the contribution such services make towards mental health, loneliness, social isolation, cancer and dementia in particular;
- the personal wellbeing benefits for participants, which are often immeasurable;
- the contribution towards improved health literacy, particularly digital skills;
- the importance of the library space and social interactions with staff and others in the library; and
- the financial savings for NHS Scotland as a result of people using libraries and having better health outcomes.
People’s health and wellbeing is affected by a range of factors, and improvements may result from a number of different interventions and actions. Libraries contribute to this multiple-system environment and “[a] considerable – and growing – body of rich and compelling evidence already exists, in the UK and internationally” which shows the impact the arts (including literature and libraries) have on health and wellbeing, particularly in terms of prevention, recovery, and self-management of long-term conditions.
The contribution libraries make is noted in current Scottish policy documents such as Making it Easier and A Connected Scotland. New strategic partnerships are also being established which will strengthen the work in this area, such as the collaborative strategic action plan, A Collective Force for Health & Wellbeing, launched in autumn 2019. Although capacity is an issue for library and health services, joint working can bring greater impact and effectiveness, particularly if additional resources are made available. The research found that 47% of people surveyed would be interested in health and wellbeing services from public libraries – let’s capitalise on that.
This report outlines a number of recommendations for appropriate stakeholders which could help bring greater benefits to the people of Scotland. These include improved promotion of the health and wellbeing offer from public libraries, a stronger evidence base particularly around evaluation and impact, and improved collaboration built upon stronger local, regional and national connections and partnerships. It is hoped this report will also contribute towards greater awareness of the value and diversity of the health and wellbeing offer from libraries and will be relevant to a wide range of people, including health care professionals, policy holders and library staff.
Evidence-Led Libraries: Inspiring Innovation and Creating Communities
Scottish Library & Information Council
Annual General Meeting 2025
