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Tag: libraries
East Lothian and Inverclyde Library teams claim top prizes at SLIC awards
Library Services teams in East Lothian and Inverclyde have been recognised for their outstanding contributions to their local communities by picking up the top prizes at Scotland’s leading sector awards ceremony.
The Scottish Library & Information Council’s (SLIC) awards for ‘Library Service Excellence’ and ‘Project of the Year’ were handed out on Friday (28 October) at a ceremony in Glasgow, with the East Lothian and Inverclyde teams pipping three other shortlisted library service teams in each category for the prestigious accolades.
The awards recognise the commitment, creativity and value libraries across Scotland offer the people and communities they serve, acknowledging exceptional innovation and service design between the period from June 2021 to June 2022.
SLIC Chair, Professor Ian Ruthven, who led the awards judging panel (which included Ruth Plowden, Writer/Fundraiser/Chair Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature Trust and Catherine Salmond, Editor of The Herald) said the quality of entries for the 2022 competition had been exceptional.
“We were all really impressed by the range of innovations and commitment to local communities shown by the nominations. What was characteristic of each of the entries was this strong relationship between libraries and their communities; identifying local needs, working with communities to use the skills of libraries and library staff to improve people’s lives, and putting libraries at the heart of their communities.
“So often when reading the entries, we thought ‘only a library can do this’.
“Last year we found it hard to select a winner, so this year we created two awards, one for ‘Project of the Year’ and one for ‘Library Service of the Year’. This only made it harder…so for the first time, we have a winner in each category and a highly commended award. Huge congratulations to all involved.”
East Lothian’s Library Services team had been shortlisted for the SLIC ‘Library Service Excellence Award’ for their activities on the theme of ‘championing the local community’.
East Lothian is served by 12 local branches, six secondary schools, a local history centre and a Library HQ. Between July 2021 and June 2022, the service welcomed 4,584 new members and facilitated 243,538 loans (an increase of 60 per cent from the previous year) across local sites.
Their entry described East Lothian’s commitment to involving the whole community, notably through the creation of two new Community Librarian posts. The entry also highlighted clubs, events, author visits, imaginative use of digital and other activities which together delivered a thriving local library service.
Shetland Libraries (who were highly commended), High Life Highland Libraries and Inverclyde Libraries were also nominated in the category.
In the SLIC ‘Project of the Year’ category, the Inverclyde Libraries team had been shortlisted for their focus on sustainability ahead of and linked to the COP26 Summit in Glasgow.
The project aim was to stimulate long-term public engagement in the lead up to and following COP26, and it was described as ‘inspirational’ in the way in which it grew the sense of community.
It linked the ‘local’ to the ‘global’ through author events, involving members of the community, including those in the prison population who are not often included in climate conversations, and contributed to the circular economy through lend-and-mend hubs.
The judging panel felt the project was ‘a powerful and cohesive project that acts as a model for others.’
Aberdeen City Libraries (who were highly commended), East Lothian Library Services and Falkirk Libraries were also nominated in the category.
The 2022 Awards were open to all SLIC members, with the winners receiving a trophy and cash prizes for their success.
The Awards were sponsored by Innovative who provide comprehensive technology suites for public libraries.
For more information on the SLIC Awards, visit:
Lights, camera … Libraries!
FREE MOVIE MATINEES START NEXT WEEK
Maths Week Scotland returns for sixth year
Maths Week Scotland returns for its sixth and biggest-ever annual event from 26 September to 2 October 2022. This week, pupils, community groups and families in Edinburgh and the Lothians will be enjoying an exciting range of maths-themed activities and events across local schools, science centres and museums.
Part of the Scottish Government’s drive to encourage positive attitudes to numeracy and maths, Maths Weeks Scotland is developed and delivered by National Museums Scotland. This year, the Small Grants Fund – a partnership between the Edinburgh Mathematical Society, the Glasgow Mathematical Journal Trust and the Scottish Government – has supported 67 different classroom activities for schools across the country to encourage pupils to think about maths in a creative way.
The theme for 2022 is the beauty of maths, focusing on the creative and inspiring side of the subject, and how maths plays a vital role in art, music and design. School pupils across Edinburgh and the Lothians will be encouraged to think about maths in a creative way through activities such as art and sculpture exhibitions, budgeting projects, and outdoor learning.
Science centres and museums across Scotland have also received support from Maths Week Scotland for large-scale family activities and workshops as well as programming for schools and community groups that encourage innovation and participation while linking maths with the arts.
Alongside in-person events, Maths Week Scotland has created a fun online programme to inspire and intrigue people of all ages, from schools and educators to families and adults. The virtual programme includes using coding to create art, ideas for hands-on classroom activities, and a mathematical art workshop by mathematician Lucy Rycroft-Smith with a free kit posted to participants.
The National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh is organising an exciting programme of maths-themed family events, including free art exhibition (2 October) and a schools programme of renewable energy workshops.
Lauriston Castle in Edinburgh is launching the ‘Maths Attack’ trail around the estate to teach pupils about how to use and make their own set of Napier’s Bones – a calculation device for multiplying large numbers.
Edinburgh’s National Galleries of Scotland is showcasing Scotland’s art through a mathematical lens with an online resource for schools and gallery visits to Modern One.
The University of Edinburgh is organising an exciting programme of events, with a display of geometric illuminations and optical illusions at James Clerk Maxwell Building (1 October) as well as virtual (27-28 September) and hands-on (1 October) maths activities for families. The university is also providing workshops for teachers and educators to inspire ideas for practical maths activities in the classroom.
Museum on the Mound is hosting online and in-person ‘Money Maths’ workshops to explore different money around the world.
On 29 September, Surgeons’ Hall Museum is arranging school workshops on using investigating bones and surgical equipment as well as a drop-in session for the general public on 1 October.
Stockbridge Library and Moredun Library are hosting Bookbug sessions and art activities for individuals and families.
Katie Oldfield, Maths Week Scotland co-ordinator, said: “We are thrilled to be launching Maths Week Scotland for its sixth consecutive year with such a bang.
“Mathematicians often refer to the subject as ‘beautiful’, and our aim is to inspire families, schools and community groups in Edinburgh and the Lothians to view maths in a new way and to find it in unexpected places, such as art and music.
“We are so excited to be bringing back more interactive, in-person events at schools and public venues across the country. It’s brilliant to see that so many schools have devised fun and engaging activities for pupils to discover how creative maths can be.”
The schools programme is core to Maths Week Scotland. Schools and community projects receiving grants in Edinburgh and the Lothians are:
Edinburgh:
· Ferryhill Primary School – Skatepark Maths: Pupils P1-7 will create their own skateparks for finger skateboards
· Edinburgh Council Libraries: Three primary schools exploring outdoor space at Newington Library
· Bruntsfield Primary School: Creation of an exciting outdoor learning space
· Gilmerton Primary School – Financial and Budgeting: Pupils will be given a budget and go shopping for ingredients to create a nutritious meal
· Number Berries Maths Play Club: Mini Exhibition of art and sculptures inspired by manmade structures and nature
· Corstorphine Primary School: Beauty of Maths exhibition
Lothians:
· Cedarbank School: Exhibition of numeracy themed artwork created by pupils and their families
· Polkemmet Primary School: Beauty of Maths art exhibition for families
· Pinewood School – Maths Week Scotland Sale: Materials will be purchased to craft items to sell at a Maths Week Scotland sale to practice recognising coins and budgeting
Maths Week Scotland is supported by winner of The Great British Bake Off 2020, Peter Sawkins.
Maths Week Scotland has a supporting year-round programme for schools, families, adults, and community groups. This is part of an ongoing drive to transform Scotland into a maths-positive nation through raising the profile of maths and encouraging enthusiasm for maths across the country.
National Museums Scotland is working with a wide range of organisations and collaborators to support and deliver Maths Week Scotland activity across Scotland.
For a full list of contributors and to view the whole programme, visit:
Get set for Gadgeteers: join the Summer Reading Challenge 2002
Get ready for Gadgeteers, arriving online and in your local library this summer.
Science is all around you! What do you love doing? Are you a brilliant baker? Or a mega music fan? Are you the tech wizard amongst your friends? Join the Gadgeteers for the Summer Reading Challenge to discover the amazing science and innovation behind the world around you, including some of your favourite things!
Curious? Perfect! Your imagination can unlock endless possibilities… We’re teaming up with Science Museum Group for a very special science-themed Challenge that will inspire you to use your imagination and creativity!
Gadgeteers will feature amazing books, awesome rewards, and plenty of ideas for cool experiments and activities to discover the science all around you. The Challenge will be brought to life by top children’s writer and illustrator Julian Beresford.
Are you excited to join the #Gadgeteers this summer? Keep an eye on our blog for all the latest Summer Reading Challenge news!
It’s Bookbug Week!
All aboard for Bookbug’s Big Journey
Scottish Book Trust, the national charity changing lives through reading and writing, will host Bookbug Week from Monday 16 May – Sunday 22 May.
This year’s theme is Bookbug’s Big Journey, and Bookbug jumped on a vintage bus with families at the Riverside Museum to mark the occasion.
Bookbug Week will focus on all kinds of journeys, whether it’s the excitement of riding on the bus or a train, strolls through the park, an adventure to outer space or even just a trip out in a buggy. Scottish Book Trust is also reminding families that wee ones love hearing stories and songs when they’re out and about.
Bookbug Week is an annual celebration of Scotland’s national book-gifting programme and Song and Rhyme Sessions.
This year, Scottish Book Trust ran a competition for a new Bookbug Week illustration, and the winner was Dylan Gibson.
He illustrates picture books and illustrated stories for older children and reluctant readers and has produced artwork for dozens of books and covers. Dylan will run an online event showing children how they can draw their very own Bookbug Week picture.
Award winning illustrator Nick Sharratt and author Katrina Charman will host a live online event jam-packed with rhyming fun. They will be sharing book readings of their book, Car, Car, Truck, Jeep and The Whales on the Bus, with a fun draw-along to take part in too.
Many Bookbug Sessions will return in person – check Scottish Book Trust’s website to find a Session near you. The popular live Bookbug Session on Facebook will run on Friday 20 May at 10am.
Bookbug has recently launched their very own Instagram, and members of the public can join in the fun by sharing their own #BookbugWeek pictures and stories.
Families can access Bookbug’s Song and Rhyme library, via Scottish Book Trust’s website, or on the free Bookbug app. There are also fun activities for children available on Scottish Book Trust’s Home Activities Hub.
An exciting Bookbug Week competition will run across Bookbug social media from Monday 16 May, and you could be in with a chance of winning a bundle of books and some transport goodies.
Clare Haughey, Minister for Children and Young People said: “I am very excited for Bookbug Week 2022 ‘Bookbug’s Big Journey’, knowing families will be able to enjoy sessions in libraries and community settings.
“Bookbug helps to encourage an early love of books among children while also providing great opportunities for parents and their wee ones to spend time together, having fun and learning.
“I am very proud that we have a universal national programme in Scotland, which supports all families to enjoy reading with their children from the earliest opportunity. As well as laying the foundations of early literacy, the Bookbug sessions help to promote positive interactions and attachment for families, which we know is key to children’s health and wellbeing in the long term.
“I’m delighted that the Scottish Government are able to provide increased funding for 2022/23 of £1.7m for the continuation of the fabulous Bookbug programme.”
Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, said: “It’s wonderful to welcome families back to libraries and community groups for Bookbug Week and Bookbug Sessions.
“Our thanks to Dylan Gibson for designing this year’s wonderful Bookbug Week illustration. We hope everyone enjoys their Bookbug Week journey, and we look forward to seeing people across Scotland joining us in person and online.”
Keep the Heid and Read!
Scotland’s Makar Kathleen Jamie leads pledge support for national reading initiative
Scotland’s Makar, Kathleen Jamie, is one of the first people in the country to pledge their support for the Keep the Heid and Read! campaign, which launched this week.
Joining some of the country’s most influential individuals and organisations, including the Institute of Directors and the SPFL Trust, in pledging to take part in the ‘national reading moment’ on Wednesday 11 May, the Makar was happy to help drive awareness of the project.
The Scotland-wide initiative, led by the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) in partnership with the Mental Health Foundation and the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH) and with support from Baillie Gifford, aims to inspire and encourage people of all ages and abilities to read every day to boost their mental health and wellbeing – starting with a pledge to read for just six minutes on11 May.
Research shows that reading for six minutes a day can reduce stress by 68 per cent – in people of all ages. With the national reading moment due to take place during Mental Health Week 2022 (9-15 May 2022), the campaign signals the perfect opportunity to take stock and establish a regular reading habit.
Kathleen Jamie, the national poet for Scotland (2021-2024), said: “Our local libraries are full of great reading material – books of course, but also comics and pamphlets of poetry, so they are the perfect places to release the imagination, whatever your ability and interests.
“Reading for pleasure can have a huge impact on our wellbeing. I read every day, often early in the morning to set me up for the day, so I’m glad to support the Keep the Heid and Read campaign. I’ve pledged my six minutes of reading on 11 May and would encourage everyone else to do the same.”
An online totaliser, capturing the number of reading minutes pledged towards the national reading moment, is available at: www.keeptheheid.scot
Speaking about the inspiration behind the Keep the Heid and Read! campaign, Pamela Tulloch, chief executive at SLIC, said: “This campaign was designed to promote the positive and easy-to-implement changes which can help increase mental health and wellbeing, and highlight the part local libraries can play in that process.
“We believe starting with a simple pledge to read for just six minutes on 11 May will help inspire people to take forward these good habits in their everyday lives.”
Working in partnership with Scotland’s 32 public library services, SLIC hopes the free to use services across Scotland will encourage as many people as possible to get involved in the Keep the Heid and Read! campaign.
Pamela added: “Libraries play a valuable role in reconnecting communities and with the majority of libraries now reopened across Scotland after the pandemic – all with an abundance of free reading materials available – we hope these services will allow people all over Scotland to take part in the national reading moment.”
Individuals and groups, such as schools and workplaces, are invited to sign up now to get involved at www.keeptheheid.scot, and add to the totaliser count. Gaelic translated ‘Na bi ga do chall fhèin, leugh!’ campaign materials are also available in full.
Keep up-to-date and share your support using #keeptheheid on social media.
Link to SLIC’s online totaliser: https://www.keeptheheid.scot/
Two weeks left to apply for instant library digital card
Do you know someone who would benefit from free access to ebooks, audiobooks and magazines, but who aren’t a member of the library?
You can get free instant access to Edinburgh Libraries Libby from OverDrive service without a library card.
Thousands of best-selling titles for adults, teens and children are available to read on your phone, tablet or computer. It’s a fantastic way to make the most of your electronic Christmas presents and to save money. Please spread the word to relatives and friends!
No library card? No problem! Until the 17 February if you are over 13 years old you can sign up for an Instant digital card in seconds.
All you need is a mobile phone number and the access code – Library2go.
To find out how to get started go to www.edinburgh.gov.uk/IDC.
The Instant digital card gives you access to Libby for three months.
However, you can keep on using the service for free by joining the library and receiving a permanent membership card. Join online through: www.edinburgh.gov.uk/joinourlibrary
Contact informationdigital@edinburgh.gov.uk if you have any questions about our downloadable services.
Fort Community Centre set to host Leith Library services
The city council is looking at how they can offer alternative locations for library services on a temporary basis for the communities where buildings are currently being used as COVID Testing Centres – principally Leith, Oxgangs and Newington Libraries.
Work to take forward plans to prepare and adapt the space available in Fort Community Centre has already started, which will allow some library services to restart alongside the Early Years Centre in North Fort Street.
The community centre is just a six minute walk from Leith Library and, once ready, will aim to provide the following services:
- customers borrowing, returning and reserving library stock
- bus pass applications
- Hey Girls sanitary provision
- hearing Aid batteries
- food recycling bags
- Bookbug under 5s rhyme times for children and their parents/ carers
CEC is also looking at ways to provide adult group activities in the building subject to Covid guidance. The intention is for the services to be running from Monday to Saturday and to build up the opening hours to closely match existing Leith Library ones.
More information will be provided soon, as the plans are developed further. Work is also underway to identify suitable alternative properties in the Oxgangs and Newington areas for their library services.
Councillor Donald Wilson, Culture and Communities Convener, said: “I’m really pleased we’ll be able to relocate these essential services to the Fort Community Centre, which is only a few minutes walk from the existing Leith Library building, on a temporary basis until we get Leith Library back fully functioning.
“There is so much more to libraries in addition to borrowing books – they are trusted and much-loved hubs and bring local communities together. Although our online provision during the pandemic has been incredibly successful there’s no substitute for physical access.”
Councillor Amy McNeese-Mechan, Culture and Communities Vice Convener, said: “I’m sure the local community will be delighted to hear that the services provided by Leith Library will soon be available from the nearby Fort Community Centre. All our libraries are centres of learning and information and are also essential for the wellbeing of our citizens.
“We’re actively looking at how we can provide more services for our other communities where libraries are being used as test centres and we’ll do everything we can to get these up and running as well. I want to thank all the hard work and efforts from the various Council teams who worked so hard to achieve this.”
Edinburgh loses out in library projects funding
Over 30 public and school libraries across Scotland have been awarded Scottish Government funding to deliver a range of innovative projects including initiatives to tackle climate change and promote sustainable development – but none of them are in Edinburgh.
The Public Library Improvement Fund and the School Library Improvement Fund are annual awards set up by the Scottish Government and administered by the Scottish Library and Information Council. This year nearly £400,000 has been awarded through the two funds.
Sustainable projects backed by the Public Library Improvement Fund include East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure’s The Root Cause Project, which received £14,240 to transform an outdoor space at Thornliebank library into a sustainable community allotment and multi-functional space.
Funds for school libraries were awarded to projects championing anti-racism and anti-discrimination.
These included Prestwick Academy Library and Ayr Academy Library’s project Read Woke Primaries to curate a wider range of contemporary fiction written by, and about, people from minority groups.
Culture Minister Jenny Gilruth said: “Libraries play a key role in our communities and our schools and projects funded through these awards will help to improve the services they can offer.
“Promoting sustainability is integral to our Net Zero ambitions to tackle climate change and our public libraries are an important focal point for conversations and taking action.
“And as part of our wider approach to creating anti-racist environments in school, it is great to see school libraries engaging our young people on the importance of belonging, inclusion and social justice.”
Pamela Tulloch, Chief Executive at the Scottish Library and Information Council, said: “As we begin to rebuild our society following the pandemic, school and public libraries are an essential part of the recovery process to ensure our future social and economic well-being.
“We’re particularly proud to provide funding awards to projects that promote sustainable development in public libraries and champion anti-racism and anti-discrimination across school libraries as examples of how libraries can make a valuable contribution to Scotland’s social fabric.”
The total amount for projects from the two funds comes to £398,142.
Public Library Improvement Fund awards
| Leisure and Culture Dundee – Libraries Fintry Tool LibraryAmount awarded: £1,404 |
| East Lothian Libraries Libraries at PlayAmount awarded: £5,500 |
| East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure – Libraries The Root Cause Project – Amount awarded: £14,240 |
| High Life Highland – Libraries Books and Beats – Amount Awarded: £5,500 |
| Inverclyde Libraries in partnership with Barnardo’sPlay Together – Amount awarded: £17,600 |
| North Ayrshire Libraries What’s Your Story – 22 for 22Amount awarded: £29,800 |
| Culture Perth & Kinross – Libraries Culture & Heritage ConnectionsAmount awarded: £14,800 |
| South Ayrshire Libraries Jock Tamson’s BairnsAmount Awarded: £9,200 |
| South Ayrshire LibrariesClimate for ChangeAmount Awarded: £26,610 |
| Stirling Libraries in partnership with Stirling University Making a Difference – Amount Awarded: £46,568 |
| West Dunbartonshire Libraries Towards a Sustainable Future – Amount Awarded: £21,435 |
| West Lothian Libraries in partnership with Heriot Watt University Eco-Ableism – Amount Awarded: £6,000 Total: £198,657 |
School Library Improvement Fund awards
| Aberdeen School: Dyce AcademyProject: Hear a Story / Tell a Story – Award: £4,000 | |
| School(s): Aberdeen City Libraries / Harlaw Academy with Holocaust Educational Trust Erika’s suitcase – Award: £8,000 | |
| Angus School: Arbroath Academy plus othersProject: OPEN – a book, your eyes, your world – Award: £1,630 | |
| Borders School: Arbroath Academy plus othersProject: OPEN – a book, your eyes, your world – Award: £1,630 | |
| School: Eyemouth High Project: Get Woke – Award: £8,150 | |
| Dumfries and Galloway School: North-West Community Campus NWCC Project: Bringing Diversity, Racial Equality to the NWCC Young adult Book Group – Award: £8,150 | |
| East Lothian School: Musselburgh Grammar Project Award: Digital Storybag – Award: £4,900 | |
| School: Lethams Mains Primary with EL Council – Project Award: The Borrowers Bus – Award: £9,000 | |
| Falkirk School: Bonnybridge Primary – Project: Bonnybooks: For a’ Jock Tamson’s Bairns – Award: £24,940 | |
| Fife School: Bell Baxter ClusterProject: Racial Equality Transition ProjectAward: £9,000 | |
| School: Carleton PrimaryProject: The Same Page – connecting families to promote diversity and equality. – Award: £5,500 | |
| Glasgow S -Award: £11,120 School: Barmulloch Primary & ALNProject: Digital and Family Learning HubAward: £13,000 School: Lourdes SecondaryProject: Inclusive Storytelling for Healthy Minds – Award: £15,870 | |
| Moray School: Forres Academy Project: Equality, Inclusion, Diversity, and a Mentally Healthy School – Award: £3,750 | |
| North Ayrshire School: Auchenharvie cluster and Strathclyde UniProject: Keep the Heid’n’Read Even Mair! – Award: £16,400 | |
| Perth and Kinross School: Breadalbane Community Library/Breadalbane AcademyProject: Read It Racism – Award: £4,220 | |
| South Ayrshire School(s): Prestwick Academy Library and Ayr Academy Library (in collaboration with 9 primary school libraries)Project: Read Woke Primaries – Award: £44,000 | |
| South Lanarkshire Schools: St Andrew’s and St Bride’s HighProject: Equal Voices using anti-racist and diverse texts in extra-curricular group discussion – Award: £5,125 Total: £199,485 |