Libraries on the Move
Although concluded, the Libraries on the Move has shown just how powerful library services can be when they reach directly into the heart of our rural communities. Thanks to £11,530 of funding from the Scottish Library and Information Council SLIC, the project brought books, digital support, health and wellbeing partners, authors, and the friendly faces of the ANGUSalive Libraries team to villages, halls and community spaces across the county.
Over 16 events, 387 people of all ages joined us to explore everything from Bookbug sessions in the sunshine to digital skills support, author visits, community information and specialist workshops. The project not only increased engagement at events but contributed directly to a rise in mobile library footfall up 14 percent, borrowing up 4 percent and Libby usage up an impressive 65 percent. For many attendees, it was their first time stepping onto a mobile library, meeting an author, or discovering the full range of services on offer including memory boxes, reading group, and digital magazines.
The impact has continued beyond the events themselves. The Mobile Library timetable has expanded, introducing an additional 10 stops, as well as fortnightly Bookbug and Book Group sessions on the move, helping the library service of Angus remain a lifeline for people who rely on their mobile library for connection, recreation and support.
Authors who joined us, including Chris Longmuir, Alan Rowan and Wendy H Jones, praised the project for bringing readers and writers closer together, strengthening social ties and opening new opportunities for conversation, inspiration and discovery. Public feedback echoed this enthusiasm, calling the sessions “fantastic”, “fun”, “friendly”, “eye opening” and “a great addition to the rural spaces of Angus”.
Libraries on the Move has demonstrated the true value of taking library services beyond traditional walls and into the communities that need them most. By reducing barriers, supporting wellbeing, boosting digital confidence and celebrating the joy of reading, the project has made a lasting difference across Angus.
Lesley Matthews, Libraries Operations Lead, said of the project “We look forward to building on this success and continuing to bring library services to every corner of our county.”
