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National Library of Scotland

Our strategy sets out our mission, vision, and priorities over a five-year period.

Key points

Mission

To enhance Scotland's international reputation by making a significant and lasting contribution to global knowledge and the memory of the world.

Vision

To create opportunities for people to participate in Scotland's rich cultural life as one of the leading national libraries in Europe.

Values

The National Library of Scotland is a place for inspiration, exploration, and enjoyment. Everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

These are our guiding principles:

  • Open: We commit to openness and transparency in all areas of our work. We aim to make our collections and our related work free, open and reusable wherever possible.

  • Trusted: We provide accurate and reliable information to support debate and discussion.

  • Inclusive: We are responsive and inclusive as we build and interpret collections for current and future generations. We will challenge ourselves, our assumptions and our policies in order to create a more inclusive collection and a more diverse audience.

  • Connected: We work collaboratively to improve our services and extend the benefits they offer.

  • Inspiring: We believe in the power of the collections to change lives through learning, research, discovery and improved wellbeing. We actively support participation in culture and heritage for everyone.

  • Responsible: We commit to minimising our environmental impact, and to create a more sustainable, resilient and healthy environment for future generations.

Strategic priorities

  • Priority 1: Safeguarding collections

  • Priority 2: Improving access

  • Priority 3: Engaging audiences

  • Priority 4: Supporting learning, research and discovery

  • Priority 5: Developing the organisation

Find out more

Read our full strategy

Download a PDF of the strategy