The Scottish Reader Development Strategy

Scottish Public libraries reach into every community, every school cluster and every stage of life. Free and inclusive, they provide access to books, stories and support, creating the conditions for reading to flourish from the earliest ages to older years.

In a changing social and economic landscape, libraries remain constant: open, welcoming spaces where people can discover reading on their own terms and build skills, confidence and connection.

The Scottish Reader Development Strategy sets out a clear, national framework for reader development in Scotland’s public libraries. It is designed to be practical, flexible and scalable, providing a shared vision, consistent direction and common language that local library services can adapt to reflect the needs of their communities.

This is aligned with the Reading Matters Toolkit – a core resource offering an evidence base and key messages that underpin delivery across all areas of the strategy.