The City of Edinburgh Council’s Library Service has been named the overall winner of the Library of the Year Award at The British Book Awards 2026, following national recognition for a prison-based reading initiative delivered through a partnership between Oxgangs Library, Saughton Library at HMP Edinburgh and the Mobile Library Service.
Sponsored by publisher DK and delivered in partnership with The Reading Agency, the award celebrates innovation and community impact across library services in the UK and Ireland. Edinburgh secured the overall title after emerging as Scotland’s regional winner and surpassing seven other regional and national finalists selected from a pool of 46 shortlisted entries.
The recognition marks a significant achievement for Scotland at this year’s British Book Awards, with Book Lovers Bookshop also receiving the Independent Bookshop of the Year Award.
Edinburgh’s winning initiative centred on a Secret Santa programme introduced at HMP Edinburgh through collaboration between Oxgangs Library, Mobile Library Services and the prison’s Saughton Library. The project aimed to support mental wellbeing and rehabilitation through reading by providing prisoners with gift-wrapped books during the festive period, delivered by a “Library Elf”.
The initiative was described as the first project of its kind in the UK and was developed in response to research highlighting the role reading can play in building empathy and improving literacy. The programme also sought to address low literacy levels within the prison population.
The project built on existing reading campaigns including Edinburgh Library Service’s Empathy Lab Read for Empathy promotion and the National Library of Scotland’s Blind Date with a Book scheme.
According to organisers, 15% of HMP Edinburgh’s prison population took part in the initiative, with many participants using the prison library service for the first time. The programme was delivered at minimal cost, with books sourced from existing library stock and total packaging expenses amounting to just £20.
The British Book Awards Library of the Year programme also received support this year from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, which provided an additional £1,000 cash award to each of the five English regional winners. Libraries Minister Baroness Twycross attended the ceremony.
Two additional Edinburgh library services were also recognised among Scotland’s finalists. Kirkliston and South Queensferry Library were acknowledged for their work helping children transition from primary to secondary education through literacy partnerships with local schools. Craigmillar Library was shortlisted for establishing a teenage book group aimed at increasing youth engagement with reading.
Philip Jones, editor of The Bookseller and chair of the judges for The British Book Awards, said: “This was a brave, bold and effective initiative built on partnership that delivered at a very human level, and showed – once again – the value of placing books at the very heart of our institutions.”
Karen Napier MBE, CEO, The Reading Agency said: “As vital community hubs, libraries offer unique experiences and opportunities that change the lives of all users, and I would like to recognise and celebrate every library service that entered this year’s award. The inspiring innovation and creativity happening in libraries, big and small across the country, made it a very tough job for the 2026 judging panel in choosing an overall winner! Many, many congratulations to City of Edinburgh Council Oxgangs Library, Saughton Library (HMP Edinburgh) & Mobile Library Services for winning the award for their Secret Santa project.
“This inspiring project engaged prisoners with the library, many for the first time, successfully and importantly supporting mental health through the proven power of reading. Really brilliant and impactful work, making a massive difference to the community they serve! I am also thrilled that the award this year comes with an additional £5,000 investment, with thanks to the support of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport with the English regional winners each receiving £1,000 in support of their work.”
Paul Kelly, CEO, DK said: “Congratulations to City of Edinburgh Council. This is a powerful example of libraries working in partnership to meet real human needs, reaching people in some of the most challenging circumstances. The collaboration between Oxgangs Library, Saughton Library at HMP Edinburgh and the Mobile Library Service shows the incredible impact libraries can have when they are embedded in their communities and responsive to them.
“The Secret Santa initiative is particularly moving, using books to help combat loneliness and support mental wellbeing at a time of year that can be especially difficult. It’s a reminder that libraries are not only gateways to reading, but essential spaces of care, dignity and connection. DK is proud to support an award that continues to highlight the vital and evolving role libraries play in our communities.”
The British Book Awards aim to recognise and celebrate the organisations, authors, publishers and booksellers contributing to the UK and Ireland’s literary sector, while highlighting the role books and reading continue to play across communities and public institutions.
