**Queen Camilla Voices Concern Over Library Closures During Edinburgh Visit**
Queen Camilla has drawn attention to the wave of library closures across the United Kingdom, highlighting their growing importance as integral community spaces during a visit to a newly completed facility in Edinburgh. The Queen was in Newbridge to officially inaugurate Ratho Library, a location that now stands as a testament to the value of public libraries in the face of widespread reductions.
Addressing a gathering that included librarians, prominent authors, and representatives from Edinburgh’s celebrated literary festival, Queen Camilla expressed her admiration for those who have persevered in opening and maintaining libraries despite difficult circumstances. “It’s my fervent wish that more people take inspiration from settings like this to establish libraries nationwide,” she remarked, underlining her regret over the loss of many such public spaces in recent years.
Her sentiments were reinforced by Sir Ian Rankin, the acclaimed Scottish crime novelist best known for his Inspector Rebus series and who serves as Deputy Lieutenant of Edinburgh. Speaking candidly, Sir Ian reflected on his childhood dependence on his local library and emphasised, “Without libraries I wouldn’t be here. They represent an essential, yet too often invisible, foundation for every generation.” He also acknowledged the harsh realities faced by councils forced to make difficult cuts, describing libraries as an “easy cut”, albeit a deeply significant one.
As an avid reader and long-standing supporter of literary endeavours, Queen Camilla took time to converse with notable figures at the event. Among them was Gillian Flynn, author of the bestselling thriller ‘Gone Girl’, to whom the Queen confided her fondness for crime fiction. During her unscripted remarks, she lauded libraries for inspiring a love of reading “from toddlers to pensioners,” and praised the re-opening of Ratho Library as a model for communities elsewhere. She noted, “There’s something truly special about seeing a new library being brought to life, and it’s a credit to all involved in making this happen.”
Recent figures shed light on the challenges facing the sector: a BBC report from last September revealed that more than 180 publicly run libraries have closed or switched to volunteer management since 2016, following freedom of information requests. In contrast, the City of Edinburgh Council reaffirmed its support for its 28 strong library network, pledging to nurture such spaces as vibrant community hubs.
Marking the day’s particular significance, the opening of Ratho Library also coincided with the launch of the Edinburgh International Book Festival’s latest outreach scheme, titled ‘Paper Trails’. Developed in collaboration with Edinburgh City Libraries and personally supported by Sir Ian, the five-year project aims to foster a passion for literature in neighbourhoods throughout the city. It will see authors and artists travelling to local libraries and care homes, including via the mobile library service, to bring books and creative workshops to communities.
While the permanent Ratho facility was under construction, the local area made do with a mobile library. The Queen’s visit included a tour of this mobile unit, where she was amused to find Sir Ian’s novels among its collection. “I suspect these are rather popular with your regular readers,” she quipped, before generously donating a selection of her own books to the library.
During her time at the library, Queen Camilla also engaged with nursery children from the co-located early years setting and met emerging writers and poets from the Citizen Collective Young People’s Writers Programme. Offering words of encouragement, she said, “It’s wonderful to meet you all at these early stages in your careers. Wishing you the best of luck on your literary journeys.”
The reopening of Ratho Library has been met with widespread enthusiasm and is seen locally as a blueprint for how public spaces can continue to play a vital role, both in literacy and wider social cohesion. As debates around funding and the future of libraries continue nationally, Queen Camilla’s intervention has added a royal voice to the calls for renewed investment in these much-loved institutions.
Observers hope that the Queen’s acknowledgment will inspire further support for libraries across the UK, at a time when their positive impact on communities—spanning education, cultural engagement, and mental wellbeing—is increasingly being recognised and celebrated.