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Apply to The Public Library Improvement Fund

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- Step 1 of 20

Application Summary

A. Project Title *

Please enter a short title that describes the main aims or outcomes of your project. This will be used when referring to the project in future and in any promotional materials if the application is successful.

B: Applicant Details

Please enter the details of the person within your library service who will be leading the implementation of this project. This person will be SLIC’s main point of contact regarding the project.

Library Service *

Please provide the name of your library service

Name of Lead Manager *

First

Last

Job Title *

Address *

Address Line 1

Address Line 2

City

State / Province / Region

Postal Code

Country

Email *

Phone *

Mobile

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C. Project Details

Project Aim/s: Which of the aims outlined in Fast Forward: Scotland's Public Library Strategy Refresh 2026 does your project support? Please state which of the strategic aim/s your project links to below.

People

Championing Literacy and Learning to support early years, close the poverty-related attainment gap, and promote lifelong learning
Empowering citizens to think critically, navigate misinformation, and engage in democratic life

Place

Engaging Communities through meaningful consultation and co-designed services that reflect local identity and need
Promoting Community Wellbeing where libraries act as gateways to health, support, and opportunity

Partnership

Strengthening Advocacy and Investment to ensure sustainable, well-resourced services for all
Demonstrating Service Impact and Improvement through robust data and evidence-based development

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Project Summary *

Please give a brief summary of your project, clearly linking to the strategic aim/s identified previously. Please also state if your application relates to one or more of this year's funding priorities (outlined in the Guidance for Applicants). 300-word limit.

Amount Requested *

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D. Project Partners

Are you applying in partnership with another organisation? If so, please indicate how many

Partner 1

Partner 1 Organisation Name

Partner 1 Contact Name and Job Title *

Partner 1 Contact Email *

Partner 1 Contact Phone

Partner 2

Partner 2 Organisation Name

Partner 2 Contact Name and Job Title *

Partner 2 Contact Email *

Partner 2 Contact Phone

Partner 3

Partner 3 Organisation Name

Partner 3 Contact Name and Job Title *

Partner 3 Contact Email *

Partner you’ve of

Partner Contact Phone

Please give details

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Section 1: Organisation

Project team: Enter the details of up to 10 key members of the project team, inserting additional rows as required:

Project Role

Name *

Job Title

Email *

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Section 2: Background

Please provide information about why you want to run this project. *

The background information may include factors specific to your service such as previous work, existing resources or staff expertise that may be relevant to this project. You may also wish to include details of relevant policies, research or good practice elsewhere which supports your application. 300-word limit.

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Section 3: Project Details

Explain what your project will achieve, outline your delivery plans and tell us why you’ve chosen this approach. *

Use this section to provide a detailed outline of the proposed project. Make sure you cover all activities included within the project, with details of how these will be delivered and how they meet key aims. A clear rationale for the outlined approach also needs to be provided. 700-word limit.

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Section 4: Project Outcomes

What will change in the short and medium term as a result of your project? *

Include details of the tangible outputs or actions resulting from project activity, as well as the outcomes arising from these (i.e. project targets reached). 300-word limit.

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Section 5: Project Impact

(a) Please state the intended impact of the project *

Provide details of the impact your project will have, ensuring it is clearly linked to the strategic aims of Fast Forward: Scotland’s Public Library Strategy Refresh 2026. If your application relates to one or more of this year's funding priorities (outlined in the Guidance for Applicants), please give details. 300-word limit

(b) Please state the number of people who will engage with the project and identify any key audiences *

Participants can be an estimate at this stage. Key audiences may include (but is not limited to): children and young people; older people; people from SIMD 1 and SIMD 2 areas; people rural and island communities; people who speak English as an additional language (EAL); people with physical disabilities and/or experience mental ill health; or people who are/have been care experienced. 100 word limit.

(c) How will your proposed project enhance the quality of service delivery and professional practice in the context of your own organisation? *

Indicate how the project contributes to service development – how will the project enhance the core offer of your libraries? The impact on staff development and professional practice should also be outlined in this section. 300-word limit.

(d) What value could your project have in supporting service development and enhancing professional practice in the wider sector? * *

Outline the potential benefits your project could have in supporting library service development across Scotland. You may wish to consider the potential for scaling up your project for wider application, as well as the value of sharing your experiences and lessons learned with the wider library community. 300-word limit.

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Section 6: Project Plan

Please complete the table to include key project milestones and a planned completion date.

Insert additional rows as required

Milestone *

Date

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Section 7: Project Management

What will be the arrangements for managing your proposed project? Please include partner participation where applicable *

Please provide details of the structures and mechanisms that will be put in place to manage the project. You may wish to refer to the different roles and responsibilities outlined in Section 1 of the application. 300 word limit.

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Section 8: Finance

Please provide details of expenditure identified for the project by uploading your budget. Your spreadsheet should include columns dedicated to: the Activity, Anticipated Date of Expenditure, Amount for PLIF, Amount from Other Budget, Total and Overall Total. Need help? You can download a Budget Template to help fill in your details Download the spreadsheet template.

File Upload

Drag & Drop Files, Choose Files to Upload

Adding a Budget

I would like to upload a detailed budget spreadsheet

Total Budget

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Section 9: Evaulation

Please list three SMART goals that will demonstrate the success of the project in meeting its intended outcomes. Also outline what evaluation methods you will put in place to measure the success of these goals. *

You should consider how evaluation could be adopted at all stages of the project. Please note that SMART goals should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. 300-word-limit. 

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Section 10: Sustainability

What are your plans for sustaining project activity after the funding period ends? *

Outline the plans and procedures that will be put into place to ensure that the project outcomes and benefits will continue beyond the funding period. 300-word limit.

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Section 11: Risk Management

What are the main risks for your project?

Identify the main risks for your project and assign each a level of risk associated with the likelihood of this factor occurring. Note the potential impact of each risk in the ‘Impact’ column and indicate the level of impact this factor could have on potential project outcomes. High risk factors for your project need to be clearly indicated. Use the ‘Action to manage risk’ column to provide details of the arrangements in place and potential workarounds that would apply in the event of these risks being realised.

Risk

Likelihood

Impact

Action to manage risk

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Section 11: Service Overview

Overview

This section allows you to provide some context about your current operating environment in order to support your application. Please provide details of any significant changes to service provision within your library service in the last three years, and any changes that your organisation has planned. 300-word limit.

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Section 13: Project Dates

What is the date on which the proposed project will commence?

What is the date on which the proposed project will finish?

Which financial years (April to March) does your project fall within? *

2026-2027
2027-2028
2027-2028

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Section 14: Dissemination

SLIC will disseminate reports from your project through its website. *

If asked, I agree to producing a follow-up report about the impact of our project between 12 and 24 months after the grant is issued.

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Section 15: Declaration

I believe that the project is achievable within the given time and cost constraints, and with the available resources.

Declarations *

I declare, that to the best of my knowledge, the information provided in this application form and any supporting documentation is accurate.
Please confirm that your organisation complies with the 'Fair Work First' scheme. This should include the changes that came into effect on 1 July 2023. Please refer to the Application Guidance for more information on the changes to the Fair Work First Scheme.
To ensure the highest standards of quality and accountability, funding eligibility is contingent upon the completion of How Good Is Our Public Library Service (HGIOPLS) indicator(s) within a 3-year period, delivered on a rolling schedule. Please confirm that you agree to complete a HGIOPLS evaluation. Please refer to the Application Guidance for more information on HGIOPLS and the evaluation process.

Head of Library Service or equivalent *

Name

Line Manager or Head of Library Service or equivalent, or Director of Finance *

Name

Partner Lead *

Name

Position of Head of Library Service or equivalent

Position

Position of Line Manager or Head of Library Service or equivalent, or Director of Finance

Position

Position of Partner Lead

Position

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The Public Library Improvement Fund is currently closed

When the fund reopens, you will be able to apply here

Read more about this fundRead more about past fund awards

Evidence-Led Libraries: Inspiring Innovation and Creating Communities

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Public Libraries Improvement Fund

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Basic Criteria:

Clear statement of social impact
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