do you need to assign scholars?

[['w']]

or scripes or will they find one on their own?

[McFuzz]

Visitors write, I done seent them do it.

Scribes only copy

Dwarves belong to your civ will not write or copy.

But yes if you want a reliable source of books, assign a scholar.

[Jerma Rat]

You have to assign them. Off the top of my head you can set a zone for a library and then assign scholars or scribes from there.

[The Trashman]

Yes, positions like those and the ones in the tavern/temples are by appointment only

[['w']]

lol okay 3 years in with a medical dwarf but didn't assign a doctor at the hospital :D *cough*