Libraries across Edinburgh are celebrating after being recognised at the prestigious Library of the Year Award at The British Book Awards 2026.
The collaborative work of Oxgangs Library, Saughton Library at HMP Edinburgh and the Mobile Library Service have been named Scotland Regional and Country Winner for Library of the Year.
Their Secret Santa Project saw individuals in custody receive specially selected library books, gift-wrapping them so recipients would have something meaningful to open on Christmas Day.
The partnership will now go forward for the overall Library of the Year Award, with the final winner to be announced at The British Book Awards 2026.
Alongside the regional win, other Edinburgh libraries were also recognised as finalists in the Scotland category.
Kirkliston and South Queensferry Library were recognised for their role supporting children and young people through transition between primary school and high school by working with local schools to promote literacy, encourage reading for pleasure and expand educational opportunities for children and young people in the local areas.
Meanwhile, Craigmillar Librarywas shortlisted for their work with young people to create a teenage book group, where the young people have not only developed a love of reading, they have also learned new skills in areas such as creative writing and research.
Culture and Communities Convener Margaret Graham said:
I’m absolutely delighted that we’ve been recognised as a Regional and Country winner for Library of the Year. This achievement is testament to the dedication and creativity of the teams at Oxgangs, Saughton Library at HMP Edinburgh and our Mobile Libraries service, whose hard work has made this possible.
They delivered a thoughtful Secret Santa initiative that provided gift-wrapped books for people in custody at what can be a particularly lonely time of year. The project not only helped boost participation with the library but brought comfort to so many.
My congratulations also go to the teams at Craigmillar and Kirkliston and South Queensferry Libraries who were recognised as finalists. I’m so proud that we have such a fantastic library service across the whole city.
Who are the loneliest people in America American men were said to be in a “friendship recession,” with a survey finding the number of men without any close friends increased fivefold since 1990. Meanwhile, resurfaced comments from Republican vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance complaining that the government was being run by “childless cat ladies” […]
<img src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/aisle-of-a-grocery-store-in-quebec-illustrative.jpg?id=56119940&width=1245&height=700&coordinates=13%2C0%2C13%2C0"/><br/><br/><p>Quebec, it's time to check your pantries again — yet another round of <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/food-recalls-quebec-eggs-chocolate-madegood" target="_blank">food recalls</a> has been issued, and this time, they're affecting everything from pantry staples like canned tuna to sweet treats like chocolate. </p><p>The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has issued multiple <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/product-recall" target="_blank">product recalls</a> for potential health risks, including undeclared allergens and even yeast contamination.</p><p>These latest <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/salmonella-outbreak-pastry-recall-canada" target="_blank">food recalls in Canada</a> are impacting several popular brands, including Metro and Super C's house label Irresistibles, Little Gourmet Organic and No Sugar Company. </p><p>If you've stocked up on any of these items recently, it's worth taking a second look at your recent grocery haul to make sure nothing in your kitchen has landed on the growing recall list.</p><p>Here's everything you need to know about four of the latest food recalls in Quebec.<span></span></p><h3>No Sugar Company chocolates</h3><br/><img alt="No Sugar Company Shellz Dark Chocolatey Peanut Crunch" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="e7a78d13b7afa71d7889bdc69ae40b3d" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="f374b" loading="lazy" src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/no-sugar-company-shellz-dark-chocolatey-peanut-crunch.jpg?id=56119805&width=980"/><p><strong>Recalled product:</strong> No Sugar Company Shellz Dark Chocolatey Peanut Crunch, 570 g</p><p><strong>Recall reason:</strong> No Sugar Company Ltd. is recalling certain chocolate peanut butter treats because they contain milk that wasn't properly declared on the label. The recalled product was distributed in New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec. If you have a milk allergy or sensitivity, do not eat this product — it could cause a serious reaction. You can throw it out or return it to the store where you bought it.</p><p><strong>Last updated: </strong>January 29, 2025</p><p><a href="https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/no-sugar-company-brand-shellz-dark-chocolatey-peanut-crunch-recalled-due-improperly" target="_blank">No Sugar Company recall notice</a></p><h3>Century canned tuna</h3><br/><img alt="Century Flaked Light Tuna Hot & Spicy Style" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="2c374c4581d582ea3f63ce02286e9a40" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="1a3d4" loading="lazy" src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/century-flaked-light-tuna-hot-spicy-style.jpg?id=56107059&width=980"/><p><strong>Recalled products:</strong></p><ul><li>Century Light Tuna Flakes in Hot & Spicy Sauce, 180 g</li><li>Century Flaked Light Tuna Hot & Spicy Style or Light Tuna Flakes Hot & Spicy Style, 180 g</li><li>Century Tuna Value Pack – Flakes in Oil, Hot & Spicy, 4 x 180 g</li></ul><p><strong>Recall reason:</strong> AFOD Ltd., APO Products and Uno Foods Inc. are recalling various types of Century-brand canned because they contain undeclared wheat and gluten. This recall applies nationwide and affects people with wheat allergies, gluten-related disorders or celiac disease, as consuming these products could cause serious or life-threatening reactions.</p><p>This is an expansion of a <a href="https://www.narcity.com/food-recalls-canada-costco-tt-pc-salt-cheese#rebelltitem16" target="_blank">previous recall issued on January 24</a>, which now includes additional products. If you have this recalled tuna at home, check the label, and if you have an allergy or sensitivity to wheat or gluten, don't eat it. You can throw it out or return it to the store where you bought it.</p><p><strong>Last updated:</strong> January 28, 2025</p><p><a href="https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/century-brand-flaked-light-tuna-hot-spicy-recalled-due-undeclared-wheat" target="_blank">Century recall notice</a></p><h3>Little Gourmet Organic oat bars</h3><br/><img alt="Little Gourmet Organic Fruit & Veggie Oat Bars Strawberry Carrot" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="0ce970e7b58e2a503b4681592d2f41cd" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="423d7" loading="lazy" src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/little-gourmet-organic-fruit-veggie-oat-bars-strawberry-carrot.png?id=56119836&width=980"/><p><strong>Recalled products:</strong></p><ul><li>Little Gourmet Organic Fruit & Veggie Oat Bars Strawberry Carrot, 5 x 18 g</li><li>Little Gourmet Organic Fruit & Veggie Oat Bars Blueberry Beet Spinach, 5 x 18 g</li></ul><p><strong>Recall reason:</strong> Baby Gourmet Foods Inc. is recalling certain Little Gourmet Organic brand Fruit & Veggie Oat Bars due to the presence of yeast, which may affect product quality. The recall applies to products distributed nationally. While this issue is not considered harmful, the presence of yeast can lead to spoilage, affecting taste and texture. If you have these bars at home, you may want to check for signs of spoilage and consider returning them to the store or throwing them out.</p><p><strong>Last updated: </strong>January 24, 2025</p><p><a href="https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/little-gourmet-organic-brand-fruit-veggie-oat-bars-recalled-due-yeast" target="_blank">Little Gourmet Organic recall notice</a></p><h3>Irresistibles chocolate flutes</h3><br/><img alt="" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="16969f8927b10ab23ed1e9644dc189a6" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="e3b55" loading="lazy" src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/image.jpg?id=56119846&width=980"/><p><strong>Recalled product:</strong> Irresistibles Chocolate Flavour Flutes, 150 g</p><p><strong>Recall reason:</strong> Metro Brands is recalling a batch of Irresistibles brand Chocolate Flavour Flutes because they contain undeclared peanuts. The recalled product was sold in Ontario and Quebec. If you have a peanut allergy, do not eat this — it could cause a serious or life-threatening reaction. You can throw it out or return it to the store where you bought it.</p><p><strong>Last updated: </strong>January 27, 2025</p><p><a href="https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/irresistibles-brand-chocolate-flavour-flutes-recalled-due-undeclared-peanut" target="_blank">Irresistibles recall notice</a></p><p><em>This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.</em></p><p><em>AI tools may have been used to support the creation or distribution of this content; however, it has been carefully edited and fact-checked by a member of MTL Blog's Editorial team. For more information on our use of AI, please visit our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/editorial-standards" target="_blank">Editorial Standards page</a>.</em></p>
