MORE SCOTS VISITING LIBRARIES THAN EVER BEFORE
SNP MSP PRAISES WORK OF LIBRARY WORKERS AND VOLUNTEERS IN NORTH AYRSHIRE
An SNP MSP has welcomed new research that shows that more people in Scotland are using public libraries than ever before.
Last year, there were over 43 million visits to public libraries in Scotland – including both physical visits and virtual visits. This marked a 2.5% increase on the previous year.
The Scottish Government, via the Public Library Improvement Fund, has invested almost £2 million in libraries across Scotland and recently announced that every public library in Scotland will receive a complete collection of Muriel Spark novels, as part of an initiative announced by the First Minister.
Commenting, Ruth Maguire, SNP MSP for Cunninghame South, said:
“Local libraries are a critical part of our society, which is why it’s so great to see that more and more people are taking the time to use library facilities. And it’s one of the main reasons that I hold many of my regular constituency surgeries in local libraries.
“Literacy and education are vital in ensuring that every child in Scotland gets the best start in life, and for older people visiting a library can be an excellent way of combatting loneliness and mental health issues.
“It’s deeply inspiring to see the work of those library workers and volunteers, who are vital in enabling people to access reading materials and computers, if they don’t have access to these at home.”
North Ayrshire Libraries have been successful in also wining additional funds: £45,000 was awarded to provide a programme of public hackathons. The service also shared in a £46,679 award, along with 13 other library services, to run film clubs.
Ruth Maguire MSP 