Advertisement
Become a member of the Big Issue community
JOIN
Opinion

'Libraries are at the forefront of combatting loneliness and inequality'

Don’t judge a library just by its books. They play a more vital role in communities than ever, says Pamela Tulloch

A long library stack shows rows of books on both left and right.

Libraries are about more than just their books. Image credit: Paul Lowry

People love libraries. People are passionate about libraries.

As we emerge from the restrictions of the pandemic, we’ve heard calls from communities urging services to reopen buildings as quickly as possible.   

This passion and desire for reopening library buildings proves there is a much deeper connection with libraries that goes far beyond book borrowing and reading.

Hundreds of library staff across the UK have worked remotely throughout the pandemic to maintain services as far as possible. But books and reading are only part of the service and do not demonstrate the full extent of how they support communities. They are deep-rooted and cut across and contribute to all areas of social, cultural and political life, giving everyone equal access to services, resources and information.

Lockdowns have taken income away from hundreds of Big Issue sellers. Support The Big Issue and our vendors by signing up for a subscription.

From the young parents who seek entertainment and socialising for their babies, jobseekers who need access to computers and CV advice, older people who seek regular company and a sense of community and those who fostered a love of reading at a young age whiling away hours at their local library.

Advertisement
Advertisement

The Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. During that time, we have witnessed significant change and transformation within the library sector. Expectations have shifted with advances in technology. Library services have kept pace and transformed to remain relevant and meet the changing needs of modern users.

Nowadays, public libraries are more likely to resemble a thriving hub of community activities, attracting people of all demographics, than quiet reading rooms and bookshelves.   

Libraries are more likely to resemble a thriving hub of activities than quiet reading rooms

It is commonplace for libraries to offer a range of literacy initiatives for children and adults. Entrepreneurs and small business owners can access office space, meeting rooms and a hub network of support. Jobseekers can access information and advice on benefits, job vacancies and interview techniques. Film screenings, exhibitions, even dance classes help to widen people’s cultural experience.

There are unique differences which make every library important to their local community, reinforcing their role as essential spaces. In some cases, libraries are a lifeline. For example, for people who live alone, their local librarian may be the only person they speak to each week.

Our research on mobile libraries shows this to be especially true in rural communities. Libraries provide a crucial place for interaction and are at the forefront of combatting growing issues of loneliness, social isolation and inequality.

For these reasons, libraries are often described as the living rooms of our communities because they are trusted, safe and comfortable spaces where people come together.   

Last year, they were forced to close their doors to communities, a move that goes against everything they stand for.   

We owe librarians and library staff a huge amount of credit. They have done an outstanding job in difficult circumstances. I’ve been so impressed with their resilience and commitment to communities, going above and beyond to ensure people can still access some services. They quickly pivoted a range of library-based activities online to maintain engagement, including virtual book clubs for adults and children, poetry competitions, Lego challenges, online film clubs, storytelling, coding classes, cookery demonstrations and keep fit classes.   

In addition, new initiatives have been created to meet the lockdown environment, including online technical support services and free access to online family history content, usually only free in the library building.

The digital offer in libraries is robust and has continued to grow in recent years, with a wealth of online resources. But the lockdown has invigorated thinking around development.   

Innovative projects are repositioning the public library offer beyond the traditional book lending service. Books are still extremely important, but as demand changes, so must the service delivery model.

We are launching a new public library strategy this summer that will reflect a lot of this thinking and provide a blueprint for future services to ensure library spaces, both physical and digital, remain open, welcoming, vibrant and accessible to all. 

Pamela Tulloch is chief executive at the Scottish Library and Information Council

@SLICCEO

Advertisement

Become a Big Issue member

3.8 million people in the UK live in extreme poverty. Turn your anger into action - become a Big Issue member and give us the power to take poverty to zero.

Recommended for you

View all
Starmer's first 100 days sees the UK in Bizarro World. Is this really the change people voted for?
Starmer at the Labour party conference
Adam Barnett

Starmer's first 100 days sees the UK in Bizarro World. Is this really the change people voted for?

Yes, live music can change your life
Sam Delaney

Yes, live music can change your life

Will Labour's employment and renting reform bills finally end millennials' insecurity?
Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner
Alice Martin

Will Labour's employment and renting reform bills finally end millennials' insecurity?

Mental health impact of debt and cost of living must stop being overlooked
benefits dwp/ piggy bank
Julie Bentley

Mental health impact of debt and cost of living must stop being overlooked

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know
4.

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know