Pupils in the Inverness area are set to benefit from significant funding aimed at enhancing school library services. The funding, administered by the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) on behalf of the Scottish Government, is part of the School Library Improvement Fund (SLIF). This initiative supports innovative projects that align with the national strategy, Vibrant Libraries, Thriving Schools, which focuses on developing school libraries throughout Scotland.
Among the recipients of this year’s funding are Culloden Academy and five primary schools that collectively secured £13,930 for their project titled Reading is for Everyone. In total, 17 projects across 78 schools received funding this year, which is designed to bolster employability skills, enhance digital literacy, and encourage creativity and family learning. These projects aim to foster a love for reading among pupils, support neurodiverse students, and strengthen the relationship between parents and children through shared reading experiences.
Jenny Gilruth, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, emphasized the importance of school libraries in inspiring children and young people. “School libraries play a vital role in getting children and young people excited about reading, empowering them to learn and preparing them for the future,” she noted. She highlighted that the funding provided this year brings the total amount distributed since the fund’s inception in 2017 to over £1.8 million.
Gilruth continued, “This helps improve literacy skills and supports our work to close the poverty-related attainment gap. I’m confident that the projects announced today will have a positive impact for pupils across Scotland.”
Alison Nolan, chief executive of SLIC, shared her enthusiasm for the projects receiving funding. “School libraries are safe, inspiring spaces that help young people learn, grow, and reach their full potential,” she stated. Nolan praised the creativity and innovation demonstrated by school library teams, noting that this year’s 17 successful projects reflect the commitment of these teams to enhance employability skills and promote family learning within their communities.
The latest round of funding for the 2025-26 SLIF brings total investment from the Scottish Government to £1.87 million since the fund began. Open to all state-run nurseries, primary, and secondary schools, the initiative allows institutions to apply either individually or collaboratively. This ensures broad and equitable access to resources that can significantly transform educational experiences for students, parents, and teachers alike.
With this funding, schools are poised to develop innovative programs that not only enhance literacy but also create lasting connections between families and literature, ultimately enriching the educational landscape in Scotland.
