SLIC awarded nearly £250,000 in 2015 through the Public Library Improvement Fund. The Scottish Government funding helped to support a large number of innovative projects, including bibliotherapy sessions, Minecraft clubs and digital-based programmes.
In addition, funding was also granted to a national reading initiative called ‘ReaDiscover’ and two commemorative World War 1 projects. While ReaDiscover focused on engaging adults not using their local library service, the WW1 projects in East Dunbartonshire and Moray promoted a greater understanding of the war.
Each year every public library service in Scotland can apply for funding through PLIF. However SLIC has revised its funding policy. Up until 2017 library services could submit multiple applications if they were planning more than one project. Now SLIC will only accept a maximum of two PLIF bids per library service. As these Awards date from 2015 some library services may have received multiple awards. you can read our PLIF Guidelines for more funding information.
The 2015 PLIF Awards were also made before the launch of Ambition & Opportunity: A Strategy for Public Libraries in Scotland 2015-2020. However, to help services applying for PLIF in the future, individual projects from this year have been aligned with the Strategic Aims from Ambition & Opportunity.
Adult Reading Strategy Group
ReaDiscover
AWARD: £22,558
This national reading promotion ran from February until May 2016. The theme was Innovation, architecture and design. The main target audience for this national reading promotion was 18-30-year-olds although open to all adults. The aim was to encourage adults to read more and extend their reading choices. As well as a national competition and promotional campaign, £500 worth of new books were acquired for every library service in Scotland.
CoderDojo Club
AWARD: £2,850
With coding becoming increasingly popular with young library users, this project focused on creating CoderDoJo Clubs in public libraries throughout the Angus Area. Focusing on digital creativity and inclusion, this project would now relate very well to Strategic Aim 2: Digital Inclusion.
Dementia Memory Boxes
AWARD: £2,230
Angus Libraries established a range of memory boxes in all of their service points to help stimulate memories and discussions between dementia sufferers. The boxes contained old photographs, postcards, newspaper headlines and other memorabilia. The project was also supported by up-to-date book stock for each of the services seven libraries. Having a health focus, this project would now relate well with Strategic Aim 4: Social Wellbeing
Let’s Talk – Our History & Our Members
AWARD: £8,887
The aim of this innovative service was to encourage library users of all ages to engage in the history and heritage of Dumfries & Galloway. The project, which directly linked to Strategic Aim 5, used a variety of media to appeal to different age groups.
Fab Lab
AWARD: £15,040
Encouraging digital creativity and inclusion was the main focus of this innovative project which saw the creation of a Fabrication Laboratory in the William Patrick Library. The lab was equipped with a 3D printer, animation kit and software to help bring stories to life. A digital Guru was also on hand to provide support and advice. This project would now link well with Strategic Aim 2: Digital Inclusion.
Words for Wellbeing
AWARD: £10,900
This project built on the work of previous health projects in the area by offering rural and targeted communities an introduction to bibliotherapy as an aid to self-management or recovery. Through the use of a Health Information Co-ordinator and multi-media resources, the project focused on areas such as writing for recovery, reading for health and memory clubs. As such, it would now fall under Strategic Aim 4: Social Wellbeing in Ambition & Opportunity.
East Dunbartonshire’s War
AWARD: £20,000
This inter-generational project focused on taking a fresh look at the impact of the First World War on East Dunbartonshire. It used local studies, archive collections, drama, photography and expressive arts to create innovative education resources. A total of six community events were held over the course of the year, in libraries, schools and other community buildings, to promote the project.
3D Printing for All
AWARD: £2,950
The main aim of this project was to improve and increase access to new technology. A state-of-the-art 3D printer was bought and located in the John Gray Centre in Haddington for use by the general public. The technology was also transported to different libraries in the area. At a time where free access to new technology is limited, relates very well to Strategic Aims 2, 4 and 6 of Ambition & Opportunity.
Free Edinburgh’s History
AWARD: £6000
‘Free Edinburgh’s History’ focused on encouraging community engagement. The Central Library held a significant image collection which due to copyright law could not be published on the web. Through this project these ‘hidden’ images were able to be displayed in the library via touchscreen technology. The large screen provided an immersive experience for the public, including those who are visually impaired. Being related to Digital Creativity and Inclusion, this project would now link to Strategic Aims 2 and 4 in Scotland’s public library strategy.
Minecraft as a tool for digital creativity and Inclusion
AWARD: £4,300
This project focused on raising the literacy, communication and team-working skills of disadvantaged children in the Bo’ness area. Aimed at young people between the ages of seven and 12-years-old, the project was run through the established Bounce Higher Family Work Programme which works with children who are referred by teachers, social workers and parents. Having a clear link with Digital Inclusion and Social Wellbeing, this project would now be linked with Strategic Aims 2 and 4 of Ambition & Opportunity.
Walk ON with Fife Libraries
AWARD: £5,000
‘Walk ON’ created a series of health walks which started and ended at a local public library. Participants then enjoyed informal meetings to chat about books and share views in a safe and welcoming environment. IT would now relate well to Strategic Aim 4 in Ambition & Opportunity.
Coder in Residence
AWARD: £32,000
This Mitchell Library project appointed a Coder in Residence for Glasgow Libraries who created a sustainable framework for the delivery of Coding Sessions for young people. The project also involved upskilling frontline library staff and volunteers to deliver an engaging programme, inspired by the authority’s cultural calendar. With digital creativity and inclusion at the heart of this project, it would be now be considered part of Strategic Aim 2 and Aim 4 of Scotland’s public library strategy.
Extending the Braw Blether Network
AWARD: £20,000
With Bibliotherapy proving very successful in the area this project broadened access to the service, developing a model of wider provision through existing groups and services in Midlothian. This including extending the employment of a Bibliotherapist and staff training. As it relates to health and wellbeing, the project links to Strategic Aim 4: Social Wellbeing in Scotland’s public library strategy.
Great Reads of the Great War
AWARD: £3919
The aim of this project was to help young people develop a greater understanding of the First World War. Primary seven classes from across Moray participated in the project working directly with a Senior Librarian and Young People’s Services. A booklet was then produced which young people used to present their discoveries.
North Ayrshire eBooks
AWARD: £9,160
The central purpose of this project was to develop and digitise local history resources. These resources were then used in intergenerational, family and community learning situations in local libraries. Ultimately, North Ayrshire eBooks was able to widen access to these unique resources in libraries, community centres and art centres in the area, as well as on the web. This unique project related to Strategic Aim 1, 2 and 5 of Scotland’s public library strategy.
Health & Wellbeing information in Libraries Phase 3
AWARD: £7,517
This health-based project promoted public library services to health and social care professionals in local communities across Ayrshire and Arran. It also extended the Reading Well Books on Prescription offer to include the dementia booklist. It would now link well to Strategic Aim 4 in Ambition & Opportunity.
Reminiscence Groups in Libraries
AWARD: £4,450
Reminiscence Groups were set up in libraries throughout Perth & Kinross to encourage engagement with the library service. The project focused on cultural participation and helped to reduce social isolation within the community. As such, it has direct links with Strategic Aim 4 of Scotland’s public library strategy.
Loan to Learn
AWARD: £8,866
Focusing on Digital Inclusion the ‘Loan To Learn’ project aimed to promote library resources to low income families in the Renfrewshire area. Through the use of iPad minis and mifi routers, the library service helped support parents to engage positively with their children in using digital devices and apps. This project would now relate directly to Strategic Aim 2: Digital inclusion in Scotland’s public library strategy.
Mobile Maker Space: Enabling digital creativity through outreach
AWARD: £14,500
This ambitious project successfully established a Mobile Maker Space which worked remotely with children, teenagers, offenders, and residents living in rural communities in the Stirling area. Using technology such as a 3D printer, 3D scanner and design software the Mobile Maker Space would link with Strategic Aim 2 from Ambition & Opportunity.
Clydebank Library Refurbishment Consultancy
AWARD: £13,000
Gauging public opinion on library provision within Clydebank was the main aim of this project, aligning it with both Strategic Aim 4: Social Wellbeing and Aim 6: Excellent Public Services. The service collated opinions from library users, former users, non-users, and staff to analyse good practice and gaps in their service. The project also collected opinions on the public’s aspirations for a refurbished Clydebank Library.
Your Library: Boys Toys
AWARD: £9,940
This project focused on raising confidence and reading attainment in boys aged between eight and 18-years-old in the most deprived communities in West Lothian. Linking to Strategic Aims 1 and 5, the project equipped them with skills to further their eventual employability.
Digital Zone Hebrides: Libraries Connect
AWARD: £22,259
‘Library Connect’ increased opportunities for digital participation in communities across the Western Isles. Digital Drop In sessions were arranged and informal digital zone areas were set up in both Stornoway and Lionacleit Libraries to encourage participation. Focusing on Digital Inclusion, this would now come under Strategic Aim 2 of Scotland’s public library strategy.
