Our Recent Projects
The Scottish Library and Information Council has funded hundreds of groundbreaking and innovative library projects for over 30 years.
From comprehensive literacy initiatives to pioneering digital programmes, SLIC has been at the forefront of library development in Scotland for three decades.
Film Education in Libraries
Read Write Count
Scottish Coworking Network
Wikimedian in Residence
3D Printing
Code Clubs
In 2017 the SLIC Code Club Project played a crucial role in training over 150 public library staff from 31 Scottish public library services. Staff members received training in two coding languages: Scratch and Python.The project was made possible through Scotland’s Digital Xtra Fund, which itself is funded by the Scottish Government Digital Scotland Business Excellence Partnership.
During this initiative, special one-day training sessions were organised across the country with up to five members from each participating local authority attending. The Scottish Library and Information Council partnered with Code Club Scotland to coordinate this training program. As a result, library staff gained the essential skills necessary to deliver their own Code Club programs within their library services.
Today, nearly all of Scotland’s public library services run Code Clubs, specifically aimed at children aged between nine and 11. This project directly aligned with the strategic goals outlined in Ambition and Opportunity; Scotland’s first public library strategy published in 2015.
Film Education in Libraries
In 2016 the Scottish Library and Information Council launched a pioneering initiative by creating six pilot film clubs across selected public library services throughout Scotland. This £190,000 project, funded by Creative Scotland, was part of the organisations 2014-2017 Film Strategy.
Participating libraries received new film equipment and training, enabling them to host regular film screenings. These film clubs were established in Edinburgh, Falkirk, Midlothian, North Lanarkshire, South Ayrshire and the Western Isles.
The SLIC Film Education project aimed to enhance film and moving image education, particularly in areas where film provision was limited or non-existent. The initiative was directly aligned with Strategic Aim 5 of Ambition & Opportuning – Scotland’s first public library strategy.
Read Write Count
Read Write Count is a Scottish Government campaign aimed at improving the literacy and numeracy skills of Scotland’s children. It encourages integrating reading, writing and counting into everyday activities.
The campaign is part of the Scottish Government’s Parent Club initiative, which provides parents with helpful tips and expert advice. Read Write Count is implemented in collaboration with the Scottish Library and Information Council, the Scottish Book Trust and Education Scotland.
Read Write Count is a crucial element of the Scottish Government’s commitment to raising educational attainment for all. It directly supports the first strategic aim of Ambition and Opportunity, Scotland’s first national strategy for public libraries.
Every public library service in Scotland has received promotional materials from Read Write Count to assist children in developing their reading, writing and counting skills.
Scottish Coworking Network
The Scottish Coworking Network aimed to create accessible spaces in communities where entrepreneurs and businesses could be supported to work, meet and collaborate.
A collection of business hubs were created in underused spaces in selected Scottish public library services. Being open and accessible to all, public libraries offered the perfect environment for coworking hubs.
Hub members could access desk space, online resources, events, and professional development workshops. Importantly, they could also use any of the hubs within the network.
The project was initially funded by the Connectivity, Economy, and Participation division of the Scottish Government.
Participating libraries involved in the network received an annual grant from the Scottish Library and Information Council which was based on the number of hub users.
The project demonstrated the wealth of information, resources and support local public library services can offer to those new to business or who face barriers to enterprise.
SLIC Wikimedian in Residence
The SLIC Wikimedian in Residence project aimed to advance Open Knowledge objectives in Scotland’s public libraries.
Proposed by Inverclyde Libraries in partnership with CultureNI Libraries, the project was funded through the Public Library Improvement Fund (PLIF). This fund is administered by the Scottish Library and Information Council on behalf of the Scottish Government.
The project focused on enhancing libraries’ contributions to the digital landscape and increasing access to the values content they house. A total of 24 library services received training on Wikipedia during the project.
Building on the extensive range of digital skills already offered by public libraries, this initiative promoted the benefits of the internet to a broader audience. It made a significant contribution towards fostering culture and creativity, aligning with Scotland’s first public library strategy, Ambition & Opportunity.
3D Printing
In 2016 the Scottish Library and Information Council equipped every public library service in Scotland with 3D printing technology and training. This initiative was funded with £76,000 from the Scottish Government’s Digital Participation Programme.
Each Scottish public library service received a Cel Robox printer and comprehensive training sessions were conducted across Scotland to train library staff. Additionally, a network of 3D Printing Champions was established to support the project.
This enhancement of 3D printing capabilities in libraries aligned with many of the recommendations from Ambition & Opportunity: Scotland’s first national strategy for public libraries.
For more information about 3D printing services at your local library, please contact your local library service.
Evidence-Led Libraries: Inspiring Innovation and Creating Communities
Scottish Library & Information Council
Annual General Meeting 2025
