Better’s Library Report: Why libraries are still important

With over 70 Better libraries across the country, we understand just how vital these spaces are to local communities. From quiet study areas and essential printing services to book clubs and children’s activities, libraries have long served as trusted gateways to knowledge, support, and connection.

With libraries playing such a consistent role in people’s lives, we wanted to dig deeper into how Brits are using their local libraries today and uncover the vital role they play in supporting wellbeing, education, and social connection.

We surveyed over 2,000 people across the UK and found that 96% of Brits agree there are positive benefits to libraries, with nearly half (42%) pinpointing the biggest advantage as encouraging children to read. Additionally, 40% pointed to the access to free learning and information, 38% enjoy the quiet space to study or work, and a quarter appreciate it as providing a warm and safe space.

Many use the library as a vital resource, with 19% saying they appreciate its use in helping to access digital services, such as job applications or NHS documentation. Brits also say it helps to support small or local businesses, and more than one in ten (11%) also say it helps them to save money, with 12% saying it helps parents through the free childcare activities it offers.

Indeed, all of the above benefits bring people together, with libraries often serving as a safe social space. Almost one in five (18%) said the library reduces social isolation, with those aged over 55 reaping these benefits the most (22%).

As a social hub, it may be no surprise that 15% say they have made a new friend in a library, with this rising to almost a third (32%) among those aged 25-34. One in ten say they have found emotional support or a sense of belonging, again rising to almost a quarter (23%) for those in the millennial age group.

While an impressive 13% say they have learnt a new skill, such as coding, crafting, or a new language, in a library, they also have a strong impact on the building of businesses and the success of careers. Our research has revealed how 7% attend or host business meetings in their local library, 7% found a business partner or client, and 7% also started a business or side hustle using library resources.

Additionally, whether it be typing up and printing a CV on a library computer or reading books on particular jobs or industry fields, 7% have also said they got a job or promotion thanks to the library.

Despite all of these incredible benefits, there’s also no denying that a huge function of libraries is also to provide the books people want and love, and the importance of this should also not be underplayed. In the past year, 37% said that reading has helped teach them something new, 35% say it has reduced stress or anxiety, and a quarter (25%) also said it has helped them sleep better.

Reading clearly has numerous mental health benefits, allowing people to switch off, unwind, calm stresses, and even provide some direction. We found that 19% said reading has helped them find a sense of purpose, 17% say it has helped them get through a hard time, and for 16%, opening a book has helped them feel less lonely.

Libraries continue to prove themselves as invaluable pillars of community life, which is a fact strongly supported by our survey findings. Ranked as the second most valuable free community resource, just behind parks and public green spaces, libraries were placed above sports fields, community centres, playgrounds, museums, and youth clubs by 43% of respondents.

It’s not just books that bring people through our doors, it's the value. Our data shows that users of Better libraries are saving an average of £1,472.79 a year by making the most of our services, from borrowing books and using digital resources to accessing free Wi-Fi and hotdesking spaces. That breaks down to around £230 saved on physical books, £411 on digital loans, and more than £830 through free Wi-Fi and workspace access. With alternatives like cafés and coworking spaces costing upwards of £4.50 an hour, the savings quickly add up for anyone learning, studying or working remotely.

Across our library partnerships, these everyday savings turn into thousands of pounds kept in people’s pockets—at a time when it matters most. Whether you’re borrowing a bestseller, downloading an audiobook, reading the daily paper online, or using a quiet spot to work, your local library is offering more than access—it’s offering real, tangible support.

It’s no wonder, then, that libraries are seen as a desirable asset when choosing where to live. Over a third of people (34%) say the presence of a nearby library makes an area more appealing, even ranking it above the availability of a good local school (28%). Among 25-34-year-olds, more than one in five (21%) say they’ve relied on a library to support them during a house move or transition to a new area.

Our research reaffirms that alongside lending books, libraries are vital spaces for learning, wellbeing, social connection, and economic opportunity. In a time when connection, community, and accessible support have never been more important, libraries continue to quietly deliver on all fronts. From boosting literacy and mental wellbeing to helping people save money, launch businesses, and feel less alone, their value extends far beyond the bookshelves.

If you want to understand what your local library can do for you, just drop by at one of Better’s 76 locations and get involved. Our libraries are designed for everyone, from curious kids and busy parents to dedicated students and lifelong learners.

Join for free today and unlock access to hundreds of books, services, and community resources. Use our location finder to discover your nearest Better library and start your journey.


Methodology:
Figures are based on internal data covering loan and borrower activity across Better-operated libraries in Greenwich, Wandsworth, Bromley, Lincolnshire, and Dudley over a rolling year from July 2024 to June 2025. Wi-Fi usage data is drawn from Greenwich, Wandsworth, Bromley, and Lincolnshire libraries only, as Wi-Fi services in Dudley are not managed by Better. Wi-Fi data covers the period from June 2024 to May 2025, as June 2025 figures were not yet available at the time of reporting.

Internal data is supported by a representative survey of 2,000 Brits of all genders and ethnicities from May 2025.