As Book Week Scotland unfolds, excitement fills the air wi the annooncement o a significant fundin boost for schuil libraries ower the nation. The Scottish Government haes earmarked £150,000 that will empouer 17 innovative projects aimed at enhancin literacy an fosterin a luve for readin amang students. This initiative, made possible throu the School Library Improvement Fund (SLIF), reflects a commitment tae nurturin young minds throu creative an engagin educational experiences.

Lead the charge is the S’More Readin For Mental Health initiative, whit is bein rolled oot at Fraserburgh, Inverurie, an Mintlaw Academies in Aberdeenshire. Receivin a generous allocation o £12,260, this project utilises campfire-themed kits that include tents, replica campfires, an nature toys for tae provide a vibrant settin for storytellin sessions. The calmin atmosphere is expectit tae encourage students tae embrace readin, while supportin their mental weel-bein—a crucial aspect o their educational journey.

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

Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth emphasised the importance o sic programs durin the unveilment o these initiatives. She noted, “As Book Week Scotland gets unnerway, it’s an important time to reflect on the vital role schuil libraries play in supportin improved literacy an communications skills in wir bairns. I am very pleased to see a range o creative projects benefit frae this fundin, whit will ultimately encourage mair young fowk to read for enjoyment.”

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

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

• Aberdeenshire:

• S’More Readin For Mental Health, Fraserburgh, Inverurie, an Mintlaw 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 schuils – £5,800

• Edinburgh:

• Craigie Book Blether, Craigentinny Primary School – £3,200, alang wi several secondary schuils 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 Togidder at Hame, Stenness Primary School – £600

• Perth an Kinross:

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

• Renfrewshire:

• A Library for aw 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

• Wester Isles:

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

Wi sic a diverse array o projects geared tae improvin literacy an enhancin community engagement, the fundin merks a pivotal moment in Scotland’s educational landscape. Sharin tales unner glimmerin stars or enjoyin literary snacks durin readin picnics, thae young readers are set for tae embark on memorable journeys that will significantly influence their futures. The fundin will no ainly enrich their educational experiences but cultivate a lifelong passion for the written word.