In 2021 the Scottish Library and Information Council awarded £25,000 to further, higher and specialist library services through our Innovation and Development Fund (IDF).
Four projects from across Scotland benefited from the annual fund which is open to SLIC member libraries who do not benefit from the Public Library Improvement Fund (PLIF) or the School Library Improvement Fund (SLIF).
Many of the Awards focus on supporting library services in their response to the COVID-109 pandemic as well as inspiring creative development. Successful bids include the National Library of Scotland for a collaborative project focusing on enhanced reader experience and engagement. Another project by North East Scotland College aims to tackle COVID isolation in both staff and students.
You can find out more about the IDF 2021 Awards below.
Community Outreach Lending Law Library
Award: £6,000
This IDF project will develop a community lending library to support local groups affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Highlighting The Hebrides
Award: £5000
This project aims to establish the library as a crucial repository to access literature and scholarly resources relating to all of the Hebridean islands of Scotland.
Location-based Personalisation Of National Collections Through Local Libraries
Award: £10,000
The National Library of Scotland will work in partnership with Aberdeen, Perth & Kinross and Western Isles public libraries to create this pilot project. They will focus on investigating location-based personalisation methods as a way of enhancing reader experience and engaging new readers.
Stories, Crafting, Creative, Adventures
Award: £3,600
This project aims to tackle COVID isolation by establishing a monthly online book group made up of staff and students. The sessions would be made up of reading sessions, author talks, non-fiction talks from guest speakers and craft sessions.
