Secret Santa book scheme at HMP Edinburgh recognised as overall Library of the Year winner
The City of Edinburgh Council Library Service has been named overall winner of the Library of the Year Award at the 2026 British Book Awards for a prison-based reading initiative designed to combat loneliness and support rehabilitation through books.
The award was announced during The British Book Awards winners’ ceremony at Grosvenor House in London on Monday 11 May. Sponsored by publisher DK and delivered in partnership with The Reading Agency, the accolade recognised a collaborative initiative involving Oxgangs Library, Saughton Library at HMP Edinburgh and the City of Edinburgh Council Mobile Library Service.
The Edinburgh service triumphed over seven other regional and national winners, which had been selected from 46 finalists across the UK and Ireland. The award marks a significant year for Scotland at the British Book Awards, with Book Lovers Bookshop also securing the Independent Bookshop of the Year title.
Prison library project aimed to tackle loneliness and improve literacy
The winning initiative centred on a Secret Santa programme introduced at HMP Edinburgh. The project provided prisoners with gift-wrapped books delivered by a “Library Elf”, with the aim of supporting mental health and encouraging long-term rehabilitation through reading.
Developed through a partnership between Oxgangs Library, the Mobile Library Service and Saughton Library, the scheme sought to address isolation during the festive period while also engaging prisoners who had not previously used library services.
The programme was described as the first initiative of its kind in the UK. It drew on research into the role reading can play in developing empathy and tackling low literacy rates within prison populations.
The project also built on existing literacy 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, around 15% of HMP Edinburgh’s prison population participated in the initiative, with many joining the library service for the first time. The books were sourced from existing stock held by Oxgangs and the Mobile Library Service, meaning the project was delivered for a total cost of £20, covering only packaging materials.
Judges praise “brave, bold and effective” approach
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.”
The Library of the Year category was also supported this year by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, which awarded an additional £1,000 cash prize to each of the five English regional winners. Libraries Minister Baroness Twycross attended the ceremony.
Karen Napier MBE, chief executive of The Reading Agency, said libraries continued to play an essential role as community hubs across the UK.
Industry leaders highlight social impact of libraries
Napier 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, chief executive of DK, said the initiative demonstrated the broader social role libraries now play within communities.
He 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.”
Other Edinburgh libraries also recognised
Alongside the overall award win, two additional Edinburgh library services were recognised among Scotland’s finalists.
Kirkliston and South Queensferry Library received recognition for programmes supporting children transitioning from primary to secondary school through literacy partnerships with local schools.
Craigmillar Library was also shortlisted for its work establishing a teenage book group aimed at increasing youth engagement with reading.
The British Book Awards, widely known as the “Nibbies”, have recognised achievements across the publishing and bookselling industries since 1990. Organisers describe the awards as celebrating both the creators of books and the wider industry professionals responsible for bringing literature to readers across the UK and Ireland.
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