SLIC Awards shortlist 2024Eight leading library service providers in Scotland have been shortlisted for the 2024 Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) Awards. The prestigious awards celebrate the exceptional dedication, innovation, and value that libraries bring to individuals and communities across the country.

Four library services have been nominated for the SLIC Excellence Award: The National Library of Scotland, Culture Perth & Kinross, South Lanarkshire Libraries and West Dunbartonshire Libraries. Meanwhile, four services are in contention for the Library Services Excellence Award: Aberdeen City Libraries, Midlothian Libraries, Shetland Library and Stirling Libraries and Archives.

The SLIC Awards are open to all member libraries, with winners receiving a trophy and a cash prize. Entries had to demonstrate exceptional innovation and service delivery between June 2023 and June 2024.

The winners of the 2024 SLIC Awards will be announced at the SLIC Showcase and AGM on Friday 8th November 2024.

Project Excellence Award

The National Library of Scotland has been nominated for their Fitba Research Club: Andrew Watson’s Legacies. The project brought together 13 young community curators from underrepresented backgrounds across Glasgow to celebrate the history of Black and people of colour (BPoC) in Scottish sport.

Over 11 workshops were held from July 2023 to January 2024, with the curators exploring the life of Andrew Watson, the world’s first Black international football captain. They also researched BPoC sporting histories with support from curators and facilitators. The project involved partnerships with anti-racist activist Malik Al Nasir and institutions such as the Scottish Football Museum and Show Racism the Red Card.

The project aimed to highlight BPoC achievements, engage new audiences, and foster diversity in cultural heritage, culminating in ‘Watson’s XI,’ an online resource for Black History Month 2024.

"I Read For…" is an innovative project created by Jill McConnachie, Library Supervisor at Loch Leven Campus Library, in collaboration with Kinross High School. The project aimed to engage pupils in exploring racism through literature, creative digital skills, and video production. Pupils analysed two books, Cane Warriors by Alex Wheatle, and The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas, identifying key themes of racism, and created a video to share their reflections with the school community.

The project developed pupils’ skills in reader development, teamwork, digital creativity, and presentation, while fostering a deeper understanding of social injustice. A senior pupil described the project as pivotal in inspiring her to pursue a career in human rights law.

The success of the initiative has strengthened collaboration between the Library and the Social Subjects Faculty, leading to future curriculum integration and P7 transition events under the “We Read For…” banner.

South Lanarkshire Libraries are expanding their role as community hubs by offering portable podcasting equipment and support across their network of 23 public libraries. The Lending Voices Portable Podcasting Project, funded by SLIC’s Public Library Improvement Fund, allows residents to easily access podcasting resources, fostering creativity and community engagement. Users can book equipment via a dedicated webpage or email, transforming any library into an instant podcast studio.

The project also hosts workshops, invites local podcasters, and develops library-themed content. Key partners include Scottish Autism, secondary school pupils with additional needs, and the Hindu Temple of Scotland. Outcomes have included increased library usage, enhanced staff skills, and the creation of inclusive digital content that promotes health, wellbeing, and community connection.

West Dunbartonshire Libraries partnered with the Young Women’s Movement on a creative activism project for young women in Clydebank, funded by YouthLink Scotland, Creative Scotland, and the Scottish Government. This initiative aimed to empower young women through arts-based activism, focusing on self-expression, social justice, and community engagement.

Fourteen participants, selected for diversity, collaborated with artist Nicola Stead in workshops exploring photography as a tool for activism. The workshops encouraged participants to address feminist issues, such as gender inequality and period shame, by creating protest signs and using their bodies and words for visual activism. This project strengthened ties between public libraries and young women, promoting libraries as spaces for creativity, self-expression, and social change.

Library Service Excellence Award

Aberdeen City Libraries has been shortlisted for their dedication to involving and empowering communities, particularly Children and Young People (CYP), in planning and developing services. Guided by the UNCRC, the service has listened to communities, using this knowledge to shape projects that enhance literacy in all forms. A highlight is the Aberdeen Reads Challenge (ARC), where Children and Young People contributed to promotional design, activity preparation, and research. Over 20 CYP including those with Additional Support Needs, trained as ARC Ambassadors to promote reading in schools and libraries. The Building Bridges project – funded through the Public Library Improvement Fund - provided staff training, boosting their confidence in supporting vulnerable groups. Other key projects include creating a Victorian comic, starting children’s book groups, and collaborating with a local school on a gardening initiative. Additionally, the service has helped develop the Greyhope Primary School and Community Hub's public library, gathering CYP input to optimise the space. This engagement extends to supporting school libraries across the city, ensuring young people are integral to the design and operation of these spaces.

Midlothian Library Service has been nominated for its excellence in customer service, offering diverse programs to support local communities through both national and local initiatives. In response to the Cost-of-Living Crisis, it relaunched four "Warm and Well" hubs during Challenge Poverty Week, offering workshops on benefits, employability, and budgeting. During the last year, their Lend & Mend Hubs have also expanded, offering sewing clubs and teaching repair skills. Meanwhile their Summer Reading Challenge saw a 15% increase in participation, with over 4,000 children attending events. New Bookbug sessions, including sensory-friendly and Polish-language programs, have been introduced. The Dalkeith Library also launched a seed library and gardening group, funded by the Climate Engagement Fund.

Shetland Library has demonstrated exceptional service delivery and development over the last year. The service restructured management and effectively promoted their services, ensuring recognition and avoiding significant budget cuts. The library is a crucial community hub, remaining open during adverse weather when other services closed.

The service has expanded their Bookbug program, with their Young People’s Librarian strengthening ties with education staff and the Scottish Book Trust, achieving a regional Shared Practice event. The Shetland team have also worked in collaboration with RNIB and Orkney Library on Hi Vis fortnight which takes place every May. This project highlighted their focus on visual impairment support and staff development. The library service’s enthusiasm and hard work in recruitment, training, and service delivery have been pivotal in these achievements.

Stirling Libraries tackled post-Covid recovery head-on, despite a 54% drop in footfall and significant budget pressures. By working closely with communities, they have adapted their services to meet local needs efficiently. Footfall has increased by 13% in the first four months of 2024 compared to the same period last year, and by 69% compared to 2022.

Despite the threat of closures, strong community support highlighted the indispensable role of libraries. None were closed, but a Strategic Review was initiated to ensure a modern, sustainable service. Stirling Libraries are developing plans for each library to support social, cultural, educational, and economic wellbeing, with community engagement at the core. Early pilots, like the one in Dunblane, have been successful, fostering collaboration with local groups