The Public Library Improvement Fund 2021-2022 is now open. Applications close at 12 noon on Monday 4th October 2021. 

Please submit your PLIF application by filling in the online form below, ensuring you have read the PLIF Application Guidance and PLIF Application Guidance Form before submitting. You may wish to copy and paste from a word document on to the online form. 

Please note:

  • The online application form does not require signatures. Confirmation of signatures, including those of partners will be required, if successful, as part of the Conditions of Grant. 
  • The form below will only work if you complete it using the same device and internet browser during the application process. This means that if you are saving the document, please use the same device and browser to open it up later. This is part of a security feature designed to keep the information you submit safe. It is recommended that you copy and paste your application from a word document on to the online form.
Scottish Government Public Library Improvement Fund Application
A. Project Title
B. Applicant Details
This will be the main contact for the project.
C. Project Summary















State the main aim of your project. This will be clearly linked to the funding priority identified previously. 300-word limit.
Provide a brief overview of how your project will achieve the stated aim and what will be delivered as part of the outcomes. 300-word limit.
D. Project Partners


Section 1: Organisation
Enter the details of the project team inserting additional rows as required:
Project Role Name Job Title Email
Add row
Section 2: Background
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.
Section 3: Project Details
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.
Section 4: Project Outcomes
Include details of the tangible outputs or actions resulting from project activity, as well as the outcomes arising from these (i.e. the impact of these actions). 700-word limit.
Section 5: Project Impact
Provide details of the impact your project will have, ensuring it is clearly linked to the funding priority identified previously. Outline the approach you will adopt in evaluating the success of the project. Please include success criteria and a statement on how performance against these will be measured. 300-word limit.
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.
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.
Section 6: Milestones
Insert additional rows as required
Milestone Date
Add row
Section 7: Project Management
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.
Section 8: Finance
Insert additional rows as required
Activity Anticipated date of expenditure Amount from PLIF Amount from other budget Total Amount
£
£
£
Totals: £ £ £
Add row
Section 9: Sustainability
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.
Section 10: Risk Management
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
Add row
Section 11: Service Overview
This section allows you to provide some context about your current operating environment in order to support your application. List any lasting impact that COVID-19 has had on the provision of library services. 700-word limit.
Section 12: Project Dates



Section 13: Dissemination

SLIC will disseminate reports from your project through its website. SLIC may also request a follow-up report about the impact of your project between 12 and 24 months after the grant is issued.

Section 14: Declaration

I believe that the project is achievable within the given time and cost constraints, and with the available resources. I declare that, to the best of my knowledge, the information provided in this application form and any supporting documentation is accurate.

Head of Library Service or equivalent
The online application form does not require signatures. Confirmation of signatures, including those of partners will be required, if successful, as part of the Conditions of Grant.
Line Manager of Head of Library Service or equivalent, or Director of Finance
The online application form does not require signatures. Confirmation of signatures, including those of partners will be required, if successful, as part of the Conditions of Grant.
Partners
The online application form does not require signatures. Confirmation of signatures, including those of partners will be required, if successful, as part of the Conditions of Grant.