Opening the Door: Celebrating Literacy, Celebrating Literature is a project designed to highlight and expand the Glasgow Women’s Library Adult Literacy and Numeracy (ALN) programme while at the same time making it more inclusive.

The project – which centred on the Keys to my Mind exhibition and film – celebrates learner achievement as well as raising awareness of literacy journeys and providing welcoming, creative opportunities for women facing barriers such as poverty, disability, or language. It significantly boosted the visibility of their ALN programme, improved confidence and wellbeing for participants, and engaged new audiences through literature, art, and performance. The project also fostered partnerships with writers, artists, and learners themselves, while achieving national recognition, including Library of Sanctuary status, as a model of inclusive practice in libraries.

The Mobile Libraries Summer Storytelling project by Live Borders Libraries brought Bookbug and storytelling sessions to venues across the Scottish Borders during the summer holidays. The project was led by a mobile library staff member with sessions delivered in locations such as Bowhill House, Floors Castle, Paxton House, and local holiday camps. This provided stimulating and inclusive environments for young children and their families at a time when regular library sessions usually pause.

The initiative attracted over 1,000 participants, reduced feelings of isolation, and promoted literacy, play, and community wellbeing, with particularly high demand at Floors Castle. Positive feedback from families and partners confirmed its success, while the project also strengthened partnerships, raised the profile of library services, and laid foundations for continuation and expansion in future summers.

The Aberdeenshire Libraries’ HMP Grampian Prison Library Team has been nominated for the SLIC Team of the Year Award 2025 for their innovative Foreign Language Prison Phrase Book project. Designed to address communication barriers faced by foreign national inmates, the initiative demonstrated strong leadership, inclusive collaboration, and effective communication by involving both staff and inmates in its creation.

The project reduced misunderstandings, improved safety and wellbeing, and fostered dignity and inclusion within the prison environment. Its iterative development process reflected continuous learning, and its adoption across the Scottish Prison Service highlights its measurable impact, scalability, and sector-wide value.

This entry for the SLIC Team of the Year Award showcases the Milngavie Library Team’s work in revitalising community engagement at both Milngavie and Lennoxtown libraries. Facing low visibility and limited participation, the team transformed services through innovative programmes such as Winter Talks, Quiz Nights, crafts, and mindfulness sessions, alongside clear communication via newsletters.

Their collaborative and supportive approach fostered a strong team culture, shared best practice across branches, and strengthened relationships with local communities. Outcomes include higher attendance, replication of successful formats elsewhere, improved staff morale, and the transformation of previously quiet libraries into lively, community-led hubs.

The focus on the East Lothian Libraries entry for the SLIC Team of the Year Award was on Community Centred Services. This showcased how the library service has supported both public and school libraries while addressing local challenges. Despite budget pressures and reduced staffing, the team maintained high-quality provision across 12 libraries and 7 secondary schools, integrating school and public library services, delivering tailored community programmes, and fostering strong partnerships with health, education, and third-sector organisations. Initiatives ranged from dementia-friendly groups and digital inclusion sessions to innovative activities like gardening clubs, mending workshops, and family learning cafés. The team also advanced literacy strategies through Reading Schools accreditation and bespoke school library policies, while ensuring inclusive, flexible services for vulnerable groups.

With increased visits, broad community engagement, and strong evidence of impact, East Lothian Libraries have positioned themselves as trusted hubs for learning, wellbeing, and resilience.