Libraries picked for Stem project

West Lothian Council’s libraries have been selected to participate in a prestigious new scheme.

The Carnegie Library Lab programme is an 18-month funding and development programme for public library staff across the UK.

West Lothian’s libraries are one of only six to be selected.

The service has been awarded £8500 to deliver a Stemshop’ project which will run workshops on science, technology, engineering and maths for girls.

Activities will include coding and robotics and will aim to encourage more girls to participate in Stem subjects.

Alongside the project funding, they will have exclusive access to online learning, networking and mentoring opportunities.

Depute executive councillor for culture and leisure Cathy Muldoon said: “We are delighted to be chosen to receive funding from Carnegie Library Lab for the Stemshops project and look forward to working with Carnegie Trust to move the project forward.”

Library Lab was set up to support innovation and leadership in the public library sector.

Carnegie UK Trust’s chief executive Martyn Evans said: “The calibre of the applications we received for our Library Lab initiative was extremely high, making it very difficult to choose just six projects to support.

“We were delighted to select West Lothian libraries and we are very much looking forward to working with them.”