The School Library Improvement Fund

The fund helps school library services demonstrate the continued impact of the strategic aims of Vibrant Libraries, Thriving Schools: A National Strategy for School Libraries in Scotland 2018-2023, the strategic document for the development of school libraries in Scotland.

All state nurseries, primary schools and secondary schools in Scotland with an established library can apply.

It is administered by the Scottish Library and Information Council on behalf of the Scottish Government.

Schools can apply in two ways:

Individual Application from School Libraries under One Local Authority

A school library can apply on its own without any collaboration with other school libraries and/or authorities. SLIC accepts up to two Individual Applications per local authority. This is to give each authority an equal opportunity when applying.

Collaborative Application from one or more Local Authority

SLIC accepts an unlimited number of Collaborative Applications. This is where an application is made by either two or more schools from separate Local Authorities and/or external partners.

While SLIC encourages multi-disciplinary and cooperative working, Collaborative Applications must be led by school library services.

All applications need a direct link to at least one of the strategic aims of Vibrant Libraries Thriving Schools – a National Strategy for School Libraries in Scotland 2018-2023. Schools will also have to comply with the Fair Work First scheme. These is no minimum or maximum amount for bids although project must be completed within 12 months.

This year projects should also support at least one of the following funding priorities.

• Promoting reading for pleasure and developing whole-school reading cultures.
• Improving equity of access to books, libraries and reading experiences.
• Strengthening digital and information literacy.
• Supporting wellbeing, creativity and partnership working to widen engagement with reading.

Applications for setting up a new library, refurbishing a current school library, and solely refreshing school library stock and/or resources cannot be considered.