The Hidden Power of Community Libraries

I’ve recently become a volunteer for a local community library.

Personally, reading is something I’ve always enjoyed, however only started to think about it’s importance as I became a parent. Our two children are both thriving at school, and their teachers have said that’s partly down to the reading and board games we enjoy together.

This impact on their future played a big part in my decision to volunteer for the library. Since then I’ve started to think more deeply about what community library actually is, and why that matters.

Why community libraries matter more than we may realise
Having visited the library several times in the last month, it’s clear that a community library offers something no platform can replicate: real people, doing real things.

A retired teacher helping a child to find a book.
Someone applying for jobs on a library computer.
Toddlers completely absorbed in a story.
Local groups gathering with a shared purpose.
A walker popping in for some warmth and a cuppa.

It’s easy to think of libraries as outdated. Quiet. Slightly irrelevant. They’re not. They’re doing some of the most important social work happening right now, and quietly building a skill that modern business runs on: storytelling.

Not just books, real community infrastructure
I understand now that libraries are not just about books. They are one of the last genuinely open, accessible spaces where people can gather without needing to spend money or justify their presence.

And that matters more than it used to. At a time when social cohesion in the UK is under pressure (1), these spaces do something simple but powerful: they bring people together who wouldn’t otherwise meet.

Libraries have moved forward in time, with access to computers, digital resources, online access and wifi. But for me, they have not lost that sense of community and quiet magic which I remember from my own childhood .

The bit we are getting wrong
I’ve had many conversations over the last month about community library funding. There’s a common assumption that they’re fully funded by the government and simply run by volunteers.

That’s not quite true.

Books and digital resources are often provided through local authority partnerships. But the day-to-day running costs, keeping the doors open, are largely down to the library itself.

That means volunteering and fundraising are essential.

Without successful grant applications, donations, and volunteers giving their time, many community libraries simply wouldn’t survive.

Libraries improve health, wellbeing, and reduce isolation
The benefit of the library ripples well beyond the institution itself.
A 2024 study in BMC Public Health (2) found that:

• Libraries now function as community hubs, not just book lenders
• They support mental and physical health
• They help reduce social isolation and build resilience

“Libraries can serve as platforms for community engagement… improving wellbeing.”

In other words libraries are part of the public health infrastructure, not just cultural infrastructure.
They also support skill development, life long learning and improved community prosperity.

The Bottom Line
Libraries are not a side issue, they are part of the solution. Community Libraries are real community assets. Without them, any community is worse off.

So it’s worth asking: When was the last time you visited your local library? If it’s been a while, pop in, even if it’s just for a cuppa and a chat.

And if you’re able to support, personally or through your organisation, consider making a donation. These asks aren’t always visible, but they are essential.

Let’s keep that library magic going, for years to come.

A place of warmth.
A safe space.
A place for learning and connection.
A place that matters.

1 : Protecting what Matters https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/protecting-what-matters-towards-a-more-confident-cohesive-and-resilient-united-kingdom/protecting-what-matters-towards-a-more-confident-cohesive-and-resilient-united-kingdom
2 : BMP Study https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-024-18535-5