Scottish National Party Response 2026

CILIP Scotland wrote to all main political parties in Scotland standing in the the 2026 Scottish Election on the 7th of May. On behalf of our members, we posed the same five questions about how they would support libraries and the professionals who run these vital services. We will publish any responses received.

Scottish National Party said…

What would your party do to improve the funding support given to school and public libraries in Scotland via local authorities?

The SNP places great importance on school and public libraries and their contribution to our communities and believe that everyone in Scotland should have access to library services. The public libraries beyond adequate working group was established to consider how local authorities can meet their statutory duty to provide an adequate public library service in a way that is equitable, financially sustainable and aligned with Scotland’s national outcomes.

The SNP is delivering record funding for public services through a Budget which both the Labour and Conservative parties failed to vote for. In government, the SNP are providing an increase in funding of £100,000 to the Scottish Library and Information Council in 2026-27, taking funding to £1.035 million. This is supplementary to the SNP Government’s general revenue funding to local authorities and includes £450,000 for the public library improvement fund; which has been awarded annually since 2006, with £200,000 going to support creative, sustainable and innovative public library projects throughout Scotland.

Through the Scottish Library and Information Council, the SNP Government provides funding for the Public Library Improvement Fund, the Innovation and Development Fund, and the School Library Improvement Fund.

 

How would you ensure our public library network is best placed to support key outcomes such as improving literacy and health/wellbeing and reducing inequality, child poverty and social isolation? Would you support a new National Strategy for public libraries?

The SNP is committed to closing the attainment gap, supporting Scotland’s young people into positive destinations, and eradicating child poverty. Child poverty in Scotland is lower than the UK, with bold SNP policies like the Scottish Child Payment (SCP) keeping 100,000 children out of poverty next year. The 2026-27 Scottish Budget continues the SNP’s efforts, investing in a brighter future for Scotland and the children growing up here, which neither the Scottish Labour or Conservative parties voted to support.

The SNP recognises the pivotal role that libraries and librarians play in delivering the Bookbug programme, including Bookbug Sessions for families to share stories and songs. In government, the SNP provide funding for Bookbug and place immense value on universal early years gifting programme in supporting the wellbeing of Scotland’s children and families.

In a manifesto commitment to partner with The Dollywood Foundation UK, home of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, the SNP would deliver a nationwide scheme to ensure that every child can grow up with books at home. Dolly Parton’s “Imagination Library” is a book gifting program that sends free, high-quality books to children from birth to the age five, with sites already operating in areas including Dundee, Fife, Renfrewshire and Helensburgh.

The SNP Government helped create Scotland’s Public Library Strategy 2021-2025, and once the current strategy is reviewed regarding its impact and potential areas for improvement, it would make sense to renew the strategy.

 

How would you provide greater protection for our under-pressure school library sector to ensure they can improve reading for enjoyment levels as well as literacy, critical thinking and attainment? Would you support a refreshed national strategy for school libraries?

Schools are delivering literacy and numeracy attainment at the highest levels on record, demonstrative of the SNP’s commitment to driving educational improvements. Public library policy is devolved to local authorities, which means that the SNP Government’s general revenue funding to councils also supports libraries across the country. The SNP is delivering a record £15.7 billion settlement for local government in this financial year in recognition of the importance of delivering services such as public libraries.

On behalf of the SNP government, the Scottish Library and Information Council administers the School Library Improvement Fund to school libraries. This supports creative and innovative projects within the school library sector.

We recognise that it would be logical to review how the current strategy is working, to hear from children, librarians and school staff on what has worked and what can be done differently before refreshing the strategy.

 

How would you ensure information professionals in other sectors such as health, government and the third sector are valued and supported?

The more information that is held publicly about us all, the more we need to ensure there are trained, supported professionals handling and protecting that data and information. Information is key to understanding who we are, as individuals, communities and as a nation – and we need people who can help us interpret our history and culture and all that we know about ourselves. People are always interested in knowing more, the sources for that have simply grown in the digital age. It is crucial to have information professionals helping to tell the story of ourselves – for example through the interpretation panels at the Royal Infirmary which detail the history behind maternity services in Edinburgh and the Lothians.

Scotland’s third sector is essential to the wellbeing of our communities, reaching people and places that the government cannot reach alone. That’s why the SNP Government will develop an agreement with the third sector – The Third Sector Partnership – to strengthen its voice and enhance services. This is in addition to delivering a Fairer Funding pilot that provides multi-year funding worth more than £130 million over 2025-2027, prioritising organisations that deliver frontline services and tackle child poverty.

 

How do you plan to tackle the rising challenge of misinformation? Do librarians have a role to play in this?

Yes, people who know how to handle information sensitively, who understand the importance of accurate information that can be referenced are critical to the fight against misinformation that we all face. Librarians therefore can and should play a role, not least as trusted local sources for people and communities.

The SNP recognises the challenges posed by the rise in misinformation and disinformation, and is committed to supporting initiatives to equip young people with tools to recognise disinformation. In government, the SNP provides funding to Time for Inclusive Education to support the Digital Discourse Initiative, a free online professional learning course for Scottish educators and was launched in response to concerns over the impact of online hate on children and young people.

The SNP is clear that there is no place in the Scottish Parliament for those who seek to utilise misinformation. The SNP stands strongly and unequivocally against the likes of Nigel Farage, Reform UK and those who spread misinformation to the public to incite division in our society.