School library funding

Monklands schools are being encouraged to take advantage of a national funding programme aimed at improving school library services.

The school librar y improvement fund (SLIF), which is administered by the Scottish library and information council (SLIC) on behalf of the Scottish government, is open to all state- run schools – and is designed to support “creative and innovative projects within the school library sector”.

SLIF aims to support activities which meet key priority areas, including information and digital learning, health and wellbeing and the curriculum.

Education authorities have until Monday, September 30, to place their bids for a share of the £450,000 fund.

Launched in September 2017, the Scottish government pledged a total of £ 1 million to the fund since then, £ 550,000 has been invested in a range of innovative projects.

SLIC also accepts collaborative bids made by two or more schools.

Pamela Tulloch, chief executive of SLIC, said: “SLIF has had a huge impact, with funding going to innovative projects that have enhanced the school library provision.

“The range of previously successful bids not only reflects the popularity of this funding initiative, but the sheer variety of activity happening in school libraries.

“It is encouraging to note an increasing focus is being placed on school library services, which now form part of inspections.”