Public Library Quality Improvement Matrix > 2007-2008

Funding for Scottish Libraries - July 2007

Ten projects aimed at improving the quality and diversity of Scotland’s public library services have been awarded £450,000 from the Scottish government.

The funding, from the Public Library Quality Improvement Fund, is administered by the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC), the advisory body to Scottish Ministers on library and information matters. This is the second round of funding under the scheme.

Announcing the successful projects, Culture Minister Linda Fabiani said:

"Our public libraries play an important role, not only educationally but culturally and socially, for the communities they serve. I am glad to see projects offering library support to groups such as young people and migrant workers – this is where great results will be achieved.

"This funding will help libraries across Scotland continue to improve the quality and diversity of their services they offer . It will allow more people to access information and learning opportunities - helping to nurture skills and realise ambitions."

Elaine Fulton, Director of the Scottish Library and Information Council said "Public Libraries continue to provide a range of services to almost 60% of the population. We are delighted with this continued support for public libraries through this successful programme. This builds on work we have been doing with local authorities to evaluate and improve their services. These projects will demonstrate how libraries can contribute to meeting local and national objectives."

The successful awards totalling £450,000 include:

• Dundee Awarded £89,600

This project will offer library support for socially vulnerable groups in Dundee including migrant workers and those with substance abuse.

• East Renfrewshire Awarded £46,004

The project will establish libraries as key partner in health information and support services, contributing to health improvement and minimising exclusion.

• Edinburgh Awarded £100,000

The project will work with young people and key partners in three community libraries of Kirkliston, Ratho and Moredun to tackle the problems of anti-social behaviour.

• Falkirk Awarded £26,923

This project will provide wireless e-services to widen community access to ICT skills and learning in all 7 current library buildings.

• Highland Awarded £29,197

This project will provide children 0-12 years old living anywhere in the Highlands access to a consistent, flexible and progressive planned public library programme which focuses on reading for enjoyment, reading for information and developing use of the public library as a community resource.

• Inverclyde Awarded £33,650

This project aims to enable those with additional learning needs to access computers with the support of the local learning partnership through a range of courses of learning activities and support.

• Scottish Borders Awarded £18,450

This project aimed at older residents in the 50+ age group to increase their use of local libraries and increase their confidence to access the wide variety of learning and leisure opportunities on offer.

• Shetland Awarded £23,200

To improve the quality of life in Shetland for a number of priority groups, in particular migrant workers and emergent readers, through the provision of more accessible, appropriately resourced library services.

• Stirling Awarded £65,850

This project will address inclusion and equalities by promoting reading to disadvantaged groups through the provision of enhanced accessibility, improved staff training and awareness of literacy needs and the provision of opportunities to take part in reading groups and online discussions.

• National shared project Awarded £17,126

A national project for minority language provision, led by Dundee, supporting migrant workers and their families.

Additional information

The Scottish Library and Information Council receives core funding from the Scottish government of £220,000 in 2007-08, and is receiving £500,000 per year in 2006-07 and 2007-08 for the Public Library Quality Improvement Matrix and the associated Fund.

In 2006-07, the PLQIM Fund awarded £442,000 to 8 local authority projects with the authorities contributing the balance of the £854,000 total project costs.

Contact: Julie MacBeath 0131 244 2682; 07810 507016 or Elaine Fulton, Director of the Scottish Library and Information Council 01698 456660.