Groundbreaking report shows social value of West Berkshire's libraries

A groundbreaking new report from national charity Libraries Connected shows that public libraries in West Berkshire deliver at least £12,221 in value each year by supporting mental health and wellbeing through the provision of volunteering opportunities, particularly among older people.

Commissioned by the South East regional network of Libraries Connected, the research was carried out by public policy consultancy Shared Intelligence using official government guidance to measure the economic impact of library activities. Data was collected over 12 weeks in summer 2025 from West Berkshire and eleven other South East library services.

Using Treasury-approved methods, the team calculated the monetary value of the activities, including NHS savings, productivity gains and the personal value placed on improved wellbeing, concluding that volunteering in West Berkshire libraries creates over £12,221 each year in wellbeing value, reducing isolation and boosting life satisfaction.

The researchers point out that these figures are conservative estimates, and the true value is likely to be much greater.
The research was supported by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, which oversees library policy and marks a breakthrough in presenting library value in terms that align with government decision-making.

The report shows how libraries help to reduce pressure on health and social care services by offering early, low-cost support in the community.

Councillor Nigel Foot, West Berkshire's Executive Member for Culture, Leisure, Sport and Countryside, said,

"The findings in this report demonstrate just how important our library services are to reduce loneliness, support mental health and ease pressure on other public services, and this is exactly why libraries should be recognised as an effective service to improve our wellbeing."

Read the full report.