Reading `picnics’ and campfire projects win library funding
As Book Week Scotland opens, it has been announced that 17 projects will benefit from the 2024-25 funding round through the School Library Improvement Fund (SLIF).
Among these, the S’More Reading For Mental Health initiative which operates at Fraserburgh, Inverurie and Mintlaw Academies in Aberdeenshire will benefit. It uses campfire-themed kits with tents, replica campfires, and nature toys to create a calming atmosphere for storytelling sessions and has been awarded £12,260.
The Craigie Book Blether at Edinburgh’s Craigentinny Primary gets £3,200 to help foster a reading community, engage parents, and raise attainment through “reading picnics” in the library.
There’s also £13,500 for eight Edinburgh Secondary Schools for Back to (Information) Basics – An Information and Digital Literacy Skills Programme.
Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said: “As Book Week Scotland gets underway, it’s an important time to reflect on the vital role school libraries play in supporting improved literacy and communications skills in our children.
“I am very pleased to see a range of creative projects benefit from this funding, which will ultimately encourage more young people to read for enjoyment.”
Alison Nolan, Chief Executive of the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC), said: “School libraries play such an important role in providing a safe space for young people to learn while also expanding their horizons through the world of reading.
“Programmes like SLIF allow school libraries across the breadth of the country to tailor their offering to the pupils who make use of the library on a daily basis, and it’s great to see so many deserving projects receive confirmation of their award to kick off Book Week Scotland.”
The line-up for Book Week Scotland 2024 has been revealed, themed around ‘hope’. From 18–24 November, the annual celebration of books and reading, will see events spanning arts, poetry and photography to music, food, nature and languages, as well as a new free book, Scotland’s Stories:Hope.
A whole host of authors and artists will feature including illustrator Johanna Basford, Jackie Kay, Jenny Colgan, Rachelle Atalla, Axel Scheffler, artist Julie Brook, Linda Cracknell, musician Duncan Chisholm and a cartoonist drawalong with Mollie Ray.
The Book Week Scotland 2024 programme has been launched during Libraries Week, underlining the important role libraries play in our communities and during Book Week Scotland itself. Run by Scottish Book Trust, and now in its 13th year, Book Week Scotland is supported by The National Lottery through Creative Scotland.
Launching Book Week Scotland, Johanna Basford commented: “I am so excited to be part of Book Week Scotland this year! Books are magical and I love that with the turn of a page, you can be whisked away on an adventure or find yourself in a whole new world.
I’m so looking forward to being part of this huge, nationwide celebration of books and helping to spread a few smiles!”
Book Week Scotland 2024 programme highlights:
65,000 free copies of Scotland’s Stories: Hope will be distributed all over Scotland
New and exclusive Jenny Colgan story serialisation: Readers can subscribe to a brand new piece of writing by best-selling author Jenny Colgan. Sign up for free daily instalments to be delivered directly to your inbox throughout Book Week.
Landscapes of Hope and Inspiration, featuring three of Scotland’s best artists – visual artist Julie Brook, writer Linda Cracknell and composer and musician Duncan Chisholm: In conversation, chaired by Scottish Book Trust’s CEO Marc Lambert, the trio will explore their relationships to the landscapes that nurture, inform and animate their work and discuss how making art in Scotland’s rich and varied landscapes enables them find hope for the future. Edinburgh’s Fruitmarket Gallery, 7-8.30pm Monday 18 November
Pleasures of Reading with Jackie Kay: the former Makar will share books that have played an important role in her life and Dr Sarah McGeown, University of Edinburgh, will share fascinating research on the benefits of reading for pleasure. Portobello Bookshop, Wednesday 20 November, plus a further event at Bishopbriggs Library, Tuesday 19 November.
Society of Authors Drawalong with Mollie Ray: Friday 22 November
Johanna Basford: known for her intricate hand-drawn art and international colouring book success, the ‘queen of colouring’ will host an event at The Duncan Rice Library, Sunday 24 November.
Interactive Reading Map: make sure you add what you’re reading during Book Week, and discover what others are reading. We’ll share our findings on what Scotland is reading right now, later in the year.
In schools:
Authors Live with Axel Scheffler: This event will be broadcast live to schools across the UK, offering an unforgettable experience with the illustrator behind The Gruffalo. Tuesday 19 November.
Universal book gifting for young school children: Every P1, P2, and P3 child in Scotland will receive a specially curated book bag filled with books and activities, thanks to Bookbug (P1) and Read, Write, Count (P2 & P3).
Alison Nolan, chief executive of the Scottish Library & Information Council said: “Scotland has a rich cultural heritage; we are recognised across the globe as the home of some of the world’s finest writers.
“SLIC is delighted to partner with Book Week Scotland allowing us to celebrate the power of reading, connecting people to writers and resources and with a brilliant programme of events lined up in libraries across the country, there’s something for everyone.
“Visiting your local library opens countless opportunities to rediscover all that local libraries have to offer.”
Alan Bett, Head of Literature & Publishing at Creative Scotland, said: “Once again Book Week Scotland announces a fantastic list of literary events taking place across the country, for all ages and interests.
“The programme includes some of Scotland’s most recognised and respected writers such as Jackie Kay and the hugely popular novelist Jenny Colgan, alongside exciting new voices like Rachelle Atalla. Book Week Scotland is a true celebration of reading, which makes this year’s positive theme of hope entirely relevant.”
Marc Lambert, CEO Scottish Book Trust, commented: “We are excited to share the programme for Book Week Scotland 2024, featuring a wonderful range of authors and artists. This year’s theme for Book Week Scotland also shines a light on libraries who are themselves beacons of hope.
“Book Week Scotland continues to operate on a limited budget due to funding cuts, and we are, as ever, incredibly grateful to our partners including the Scottish Library and Information Council, library services, independent bookshops, schools and the many other community partners we collaborate with to make Book Week Scotland happen. A love of reading brings much pleasure, many benefits, and indeed hope, to individuals and the communities they live in.”
Julie Brook, visual artist, commented: “Book Week Scotland and their work all through the year is a passionate advocate for making books and the world of books accessible to everyone of all ages.
“My hope is by bringing artists of other disciplines into the conversations we can open up new ways in which to approach reading.”
For more information on events, listingsand how to get involved, visit:
If you’d be interested in attending this poetry workshop on 18th November, and/or joining their Corstorphine Library’s fortnightly Writers Group, please ask at the library desk or telephone 0131 529 5506.
Without stories, there is no hope. That’s why ‘hope’ is the perfect theme for this year’s Book Week Scotland (18 – 24 November), and the inspiration behind our new edition of Scotland’s Stories.
Comprised of original stories written by the people of Scotland, over 60,000 copies of our new book, Hope. will be sent to every corner of the country.
Look out for your free copy of Hope this November, and explore the Book Week Scotland programme anytime.
