Bring your community the stories that shape the world

Edinburgh Libraries is a vibrant public library service with 28 branches spread across the city, serving over two million patrons annually. Offering a wide range of books, digital resources and community programs, the libraries provide essential services to support learning, creativity, and connection for residents and visitors alike.

Edinburgh Libraries struggled to provide equitable newspaper access due to limited funding, language barriers, uneven distribution across branches, and reliance on just 10 print titles, prompting digital-services development leader Susan Varga to seek a new solution.

By partnering with PressReader, Edinburgh Libraries found a cost-effective way to modernize and expand its digital offerings. Here’s how:

Before switching to PressReader, Edinburgh Libraries faced a number of issues when it came to bringing patrons the news they needed:

• Limited global news coverage: The library system struggled to provide international news coverage, and many patrons could not access news that reflected their global interests. They were also unable to obtain newspapers and magazines from outside their local area.
• Inadequate language offerings: The narrow range of languages on offer was not meeting the linguistic needs of Edinburgh’s diverse community, which impacted the library’s ability to serve all patrons effectively.
• Restricted range of titles: With only up to 10 different titles available, and the widest variety found in the Central Library, patrons were unable to access varied news and entertainment sources.
• Financial inefficiency: The costs of acquiring and preserving print editions of periodicals and dailies strained an already restricted budget.
• Circulation limitations: The non-circulation policy for print editions of newspapers and magazines hindered accessibility for patrons with mobility challenges or those confined to their residences.

PressReader’s all-you-can-read digital platform enriches curious minds by providing access to thousands of global publications in dozens of languages.

PressReader effectively tackled Edinburgh Libraries’ most significant challenges by:

• Offering a wider content range: Providing access to local and international news, ensuring users of all backgrounds, languages, and interests find engaging content.
• Making more languages available: Catering to diverse communities by offering materials in multiple languages, creating a more inclusive library experience.
• Providing access to thousands of titles: Expanding the library’s collection from a handful of titles to thousands, offering users unparalleled variety in news and entertainment.
• Enabling cost savings and simplicity: Reducing operational costs and simplifying management by replacing multiple subscriptions and physical materials with a single digital solution.

Edinburgh Libraries successfully transitioned to exclusively delivering newspapers and magazines digitally through PressReader, achieving significant financial savings and increased user engagement. This shift highlights the library’s commitment to embracing digital innovation as part of its core strategy.

• Cost savings: The transition to PressReader resulted in an 80-90% reduction in costs associated with physical newspaper and magazine distribution.
• High engagement: In 2023, over 3.2 million downloads were made through PressReader, far surpassing the 400,000 downloads from other e-platforms combined.
• Enhanced accessibility: The digital platform reinforced Edinburgh Libraries’ role as a vital community resource, making content more accessible to diverse users.
• Strategic value: PressReader has become a cornerstone of the library’s digital strategy, demonstrating its effectiveness and appeal.

“We want to expand the walls of the library… and make it easier for people — it’s all about access, really, and that’s what public libraries are about, you know. [PressReader] delivered it perfectly.” — Susan Varga

Edinburgh Libraries’ partnership with PressReader has revolutionized how they deliver news and magazines, making their services more inclusive, accessible and efficient. The ease and value of PressReader allowed the library to continue serving its community effectively, even as financial constraints grew, making the service a key part of Edinburgh Libraries’ long-term vision.