As Book Wikk Scotland unfolds, excitement fills e air wi the annooncement o a significant fundin boost for skweel libraries ower e nation. E Scottish Government has earmarked £150,000 aat will empouer 17 innovative projects aimed at enhancing literacy an fostering a love for readin amang students. Iss initiative, made possible throu e School Library Improvement Fund (SLIF), reflects a commitment tae nurturnin young minds throu creative an engagin educational experiences.

Lead e charge is e S’More Readin For Mental Health initiative, fit is bein rolled oot at Fraserburgh, Inverurie, an Mintlaa Academies in Aberdeenshire. Receivin a generous allocation o £12,260, iss project utilises campfire-themed kits aat include tents, replica campfires, an nature toys for tae provide a vibrant settin for story-tellin sessions. E calmin atmosphere is expected tae encourage students tae embrace readin, fyle supportin their mental weel-bein—a crucial aspect o their educational journey.

In Edinburgh, e Craigie Book Blether project at Craigentinny Primary School has bin awarded £3,200 for tae develop a community aroond readin. E initiative includes “readin picnics” hauden in e library, designed for tae engage parents an pupils alike, ultimately aim for tae raise owerall attainment.

Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth emphasised e importance o sic programs durin e unveil o these initiatives. She noted, “As Book Wikk Scotland gets unnerway, it’s an important time to reflect on e vital role skweel libraries play in suppor tin improved literacy an communications skills in wir bairns. I am very pleased to see a range o creative projects benefit fae iss fundin, fit will ultimately encourage mair young fowk to read for enjoyment.”

Further reinforcin iss sentiment, Alison Nolan, Chief Executive o the Scottish Library an Information Council (SLIC), remairked on e essential role o skweel libraries. “School libraries play such an important role in providin a safe space for young fowk to lairn fyle expandin their horizons throu e world o readin,” she stated. E SLIF program grants libraries e flexibility for tae cater their services for tae suit e needs o their students. E excitement surroundin e fundin reaffirms e commitment for tae foster an enrichin readin culture ower Scotland.

E comprehensive list o funded projects spans various regions an unique initiatives, includin:

• Aberdeenshire:

• S’More Readin For Mental Health, Fraserburgh, Inverurie, an Mintlaa Academies – £12,260

• Angus:

• Rural Schools Let’s Get Readin!, Strathmartine an Tealin Primary Schools – £2,500

• Dumfries an Galloway:

• Safe tae Talk, Dumfries High School – £3,068

• Dundee:

• Care tae Share, 4 Secondary Schools TBC – £5,575

• East Renfrewshire:

• Code Read, multiple secondary skweels – £5,800

• Edinburgh:

• Craigie Book Blether, Craigentinny Primary School – £3,200, alang wi several secondary skweels engaged in an Information an Digital Literacy Skills Programme – £13,500

• Falkirk:

• Readin for Empathy, Braes High School an ither – £20,065

• Glasgow:

• Youth for Equity ower 4 Secondary Schools – £12,820, an EAL Family Learnin Campus Library at St Vincent’s Primary School – £16,040

• North Ayrshire:

• Creative Classics, Garnock Community Campus an Ardrossan Academy – £5,105

• Orkney:

• Readin Tgether at Hame, Stenness Primary School – £600

• Perth an Kinross:

• Young Outdoor Librarians, Coupar Angus Primary School – £8,050

• Renfrewshire:

• A Library for aa Languages, St Mary’s Primary School – £2,454

• Scottish Borders:

• EyeRead Sanctuary: Creatin a Safe Space for Students, Eyemouth High School – £8,108

• Sooth Ayrshire:

• Empathy in Action, includin Carrick Academy an Prestwick Academy – £15,500

• Western Isles:

• Leabharlainn nan Eilean Siar: Pròiseact Love tae Leugh / Western Isles Libraries: Love tae Read Project – £16,578

Wi sic a diverse array o projects geared tae improvin literacy an enhancin community engagement, e fundin merks a pivotal moment in Scotland’s educational landscape. Sharin tales unner glimmerin stars or enjoyin literary snacks durin readin picnics, these young readers are set for tae embark on memorable journeys aat will significantly influence their futures. E fundin will nae ainly enrich their educational experiences but cultivate a lifelong passion for e written word.