This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: New research has highlighted the important role public libraries play in supporting communities, helping people build connections, access support and improve their well-being through everyday interactions. The Evidencing the Social Value of Public Libraries project explored how libraries create value beyond traditional measures such as visitor numbers and book lending.
Ninians Library in Stirling as a case study, the research found that libraries act as trusted community spaces where people can connect with others, access learning opportunities, receive practical support and take part in cultural life. Katherine Champion of the University of Glasgow and Lindsay McKrell of Stirling Council Libraries and Archives, the project combined library data with observation and interviews with library users and staff to better understand the wider impact of public libraries on communities. The research found that while statistics such as visits and book loans remain important indicators of activity, they do not fully capture the ways libraries contribute to people's lives.
Participants described libraries as welcoming and inclusive spaces that help reduce isolation, build confidence and create opportunities for learning and social connection. Katherine Champion, senior lecturer in creative industries and cultural policy at the College of Arts & Humanities, University of Glasgow, said, "What we've found is that the true value of libraries cannot be measured by numbers alone. Libraries are vital social infrastructure, providing welcoming spaces where people access information, find support, build relationships and connect with their communities.
"Much of this value is created through everyday interactions with library staff, whose work is often unseen but hugely important. The Social Value Toolkit will help libraries tell that story more effectively." Brian Hambly, convener of Stirling Council's Community Well-being Committee, said, "We were thrilled to support this important research at our vibrant and popular library in St. "Our libraries are not just places to borrow books—they are key community hubs that provide a wide range of services, opportunities and benefits for local people.
They are free and welcoming spaces where people can come together to learn, connect and enjoy activities and events. "This study reaffirms that role and highlights the wider social impact of libraries. It also provides a framework for measuring their full value, which will support efforts to keep them relevant and continue to meet the changing needs of communities." Alison Nolan, chief executive of the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC), said, "The Scottish Library and Information Council is delighted to support this important research through the Public Library Improvement Fund, which provides compelling evidence of the significant social value created by public libraries.
"It demonstrates that their impact reaches far beyond traditional measures of visits and borrowing: Libraries build connections, reduce isolation, support learning and well-being, and provide trusted, inclusive spaces at the heart of communities. Crucially, this work also gives library services a practical way to capture and communicate that impact, strengthening the evidence we have to demonstrate the essential role of public libraries across Scotland." Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. d research that matter—daily or weekly. Ninians Library, more than 27,000 visits were recorded during 2024–25, alongside almost 33,000 book loans.
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