National Library of Scotland shortlisted for national award
The National Library of Scotland has been shortlisted for the Scottish Library and Information Council's Project Excellence Award for its Fitba Research Club: Andrew Watson's Legacies' project.
Article Source: Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC)
Last Updated: 6 October 2024 10:13
Honouring excellence in library services across the country, with a particular focus on those who have demonstrated a wider positive impact on the communities they serve, the National Library of Scotland is one of just four library services in the running for the award.
This will be whittled down to one winner and one highly commended in the Project Excellence category next month at the annual SLIC AGM and Showcase where services will be recognised for their outstanding commitment to creating value for their community, and a strategic approach to ensuring library services continue to meet users’ ever-evolving needs.
SLIC chair, Alan Clarke, who is leading the judging panel, alongside Scottish author Theresa Breslin OBE and journalist Garrett Stell, said: “The SLIC Awards are about more than recognising first-class library services and innovative projects – they’re about shining a spotlight on the passionate people behind them who are channelling a great deal of care and creativity into every inspiring initiative they drive forward.
“From tackling cost-of-living challenges and embracing the circular economy, to creating community cohesion, this year’s submissions have shown that Scotland’s library services don’t shy away from taking on the big issues, and that the possibilities are boundless.
“Congratulations to the eight services shortlisted for the 2024 SLIC Awards. We look forward to inviting the nominees to celebrate their achievements with us when we announce the award winners at our Showcase and AGM next month.”
SLIC Project Excellence Award 2024 shortlist:
South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture
South Lanarkshire Libraries was shortlisted for its ‘Lending Voices Portable Podcast’ project. By offering portable podcasting equipment and support to the local network of 23 public libraries, it provided a platform to share stories, ideas and knowledge, enriching local culture and creating a sense of community. Pop-up podcasting sessions, including talks and workshops, opened up an exciting range of partnership opportunities with people and organisations not previously engaged.
West Dunbartonshire Libraries
West Dunbartonshire Libraries has been shortlisted for its ‘Activism Through Art: Reimagining Scotland for Young Women and Girls’ project. In collaboration with the Young Women’s Movement (YWM), a group of fourteen young women were onboarded to represent diverse life experiences. The group workshopped with socially engaged artist and photographer, Nicola Stead, to explore how arts can be used to engage with social justice movements. The young women involved said they felt empowered by the project to express and share their voice in ways that hadn’t seemed possible before.
Culture Perth and Kinross
Culture Perth and Kinross has been shortlisted for its innovative ‘I Read For…’ project which combined reader development, digital creative skills and the exploration of racism as a contemporary issue. Partnering with a local school, pupils analysed set texts to identify themes of racism and scripted, filmed and edited a video that was subsequently presented to the school body. Outcomes included new skills and improved confidence, emotional intelligence and understanding of a complex issue.
National Library of Scotland
National Library of Scotland was shortlisted for its ‘Fitba Research Club: Andrew Watson’s Legacies’ project. The project brought together a team of 13 community curators aged 18-25 from under-represented and minoritised communities across Glasgow to celebrate the rich history of sporting achievement by Black people and people of colour in Scotland. It proved an effective way of encouraging young people from minority communities, with no previous library experience, to explore their cultural institutions and resources.
SLIC Library Service Excellence Award 2024 shortlist:
Aberdeen City Library and Information Services
Aberdeen City Library and Information Services has been shortlisted for its approach to developing library services for, and with, young people. The team worked directly with young people to gather ideas and develop taster sessions to bring them to life embodying the principles of UNCRC. This included working with local schools to introduce opportunities for young people to take part in and drive forward initiatives, like Aberdeen Reads Challenge (ARC), where the more than 20 children volunteered to train as ARC Ambassadors to promote the reading challenge.
Shetland Library
Shetland Library has been shortlisted for its activities aimed at engaging library users of all ages and stages. The past year has seen significant expansion of the popular Bookbug programme, with attendance rising 51%, in large part due to the striking enthusiasm of the Shetland Library staff. Similarly, their digital support offering was called upon when Transport Scotland moved ferry discount vouchers for island concession card holders online. This was a major change for a large elderly population, and staff received overwhelmingly positive feedback about their reassurance and support.
Midlothian Libraries
Midlothian Libraries has been shortlisted for its proactive response to cost-of-living challenges. As part of Challenge Poverty Week last October, the service relaunched four Warm and Well Hubs in partnership with other social services, providing advice on benefits, employability support and household budgeting. The service has also expanded its Lend and Mend offering into three branches, complemented by sewing and repair clubs to help people learn new skills.
Stirling Council Libraries
Stirling Council Libraries has been shortlisted for its focus on ‘bringing community back to libraries’. Post-COVID and amidst unprecedented budget pressures, the service has worked closely with communities across the Stirling Council area to ensure they are providing a service which is relevant and required. This is exemplified by Dunblane Library which has supported Ukrainian communities staying at Dunblane Hydro to use its services, introducing a collection of Ukrainian adult and children’s books. The services have seen a significant rise in footfall over the last year.
The SLIC Awards are open to all SLIC member libraries, with winners receiving a trophy and cash prize for demonstrating exceptional innovation and service design for activity between June 2023 and June 2024. The winners will be announced at the SLIC Showcase and AGM on 8 November 2024.
Sponsored Links
Latest Glasgow News
Christmas is officially here... the IRN BRU Carnival launches for the festive season
Today, Friday 20 December, the IRN-BRU Carnival officially opens to the public, bringing all the fun of the fair to Glasgow's SEC for the 105th year!
READ MORE
Back by popular demand: Murder on the Midnight Express returns to Somewhere By Nico
Back by popular demand, Murder on the Midnight Express is making its highly anticipated return to Somewhere by Nico in Edinburgh and Glasgow for a limited time only.
READ MORE
Glasgow Mat Pilates Studio looks to add NEW Classes to bring people together
Move Train Eat is set to grow its timetable in 2025 with the aim of helping people move better and connect with like-minded people, as they enter new phases of life.
READ MORE
Room to Recharge: Kimpton Hotels in Scotland launch new wellness program, Stay Well
Kimpton Hotels in Edinburgh and Glasgow have launched 'Stay Well', a new wellness-first initiative designed to help guests 'feel good, travel better, and stay well' while travelling.
READ MORE
Wicked fans in Scotland invited to special Sing Along screenings at Vue this Boxing Day
After becoming one of the most popular big screen releases of 2024, Vue is excited to announce that an extra special sing-along version of Wicked is heading to the big screen this Boxing Day.
READ MORE
Funding win marks anniversary of Mackintosh acquisition
A generous package of funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund has been pledged to the National Trust for Scotland to celebrate the genius of Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Margaret Macdonald.
READ MORE
Braehead Shopping Centre celebrates 10 new openings in 2024
Braehead Shopping Centre has had an incredible year in 2024, marked by a wave of exciting new stores that have reinforced its position as one of Scotland's leading shopping destinations.
READ MORE
Glasgow Fort confirms festive opening hours
Glasgow Fort has confirmed its festive opening times for last minute shopping and anyone planning a day out with family and friends over the Christmas period.
READ MORE
Caledonian Sleeper announces winners of photography competition celebrating UK beauty spots
Caledonian Sleeper has announced the winners of its photography competition aimed at celebrating the country's most scenic locations on the overnight train's iconic route.
READ MORE
Citizens Theatre announces first stage production for its reopening in 2025
The Citizens Theatre announces Small Acts of Love as the show which will reopen the theatre in 2025.
READ MORE
Garden Centre invites budding indoor gardeners to its stores
Dobbies Garden Centres is kicking off the new year on a green note, offering two free workshops at its Scottish stores this January.
READ MORE
Acclaimed lecture by Panto legend Johnny McKnight returns for one off performance
Stage star and Panto legend Johnny McKnight will take to the stage once more, in 2025, for a one-off performance of his acclaimed lecture She's Behind You at The Pavilion Theatre.
READ MORE
Ticketmaster announces Breakthrough 2025 list
Ticketmaster has unveiled its much-anticipated Breakthrough 2025 list, highlighting the brightest up-and-coming stars set to shape the live music scene in 2025.
READ MORE
Pioneering new partnership between Buchanan Galleries and The White Company Makes perfect scents this Christmas
Buchanan Galleries has joined forces with The White Company in a pioneering new partnership that’s not to be sniffed at.
READ MORE
Blooming Fabulous! The Scottish Garden Festival arrives in 2025!
This family-friendly festival takes place in the spacious and scenic Hamilton Park Racecourse, offering a perfect setting for all ages to enjoy.
READ MORE
Crossbasket Castle announces grand opening date of its new luxury development
Crossbasket Castle will deliver one of Scotland’s newest and most exciting five-star hospitality experiences, with a unique restaurant by Michelin Star Chef Michel Roux.
READ MORE
OVO Hydro to spread holiday cheer with ticket giveaway
OVO Hydro, Scotland's Home of Live Entertainment, is spreading holiday cheer with a festive giveaway and support for Nordoff & Robbins music therapy charity.
READ MORE
Biffy Clyro, Young Fathers & Callum Beattie among winners at inaugural Scottish Live Music Awards
The Scottish Live Music Awards (SLMA) celebrated the best of Scotland's vibrant live music scene on Thursday night during a prestigious ceremony at Glasgow's Classic Grand Ballroom.
READ MORE
People in Glasgow asked to nominate their local business support champions for new Awards
Business Gateway has announced that nominations are now open for its inaugural Recognition Awards.
READ MORE
Win your way to the IRN BRU Carnival
'Hook' a Duck around Glasgow for your chance to win tickets to this year's IRN-BRU Carnival!
READ MORE
Dogstar Theatre brings Gideon Mack from page to stage
James Robertson's 2006 best-selling novel will be brought to life in early 2025 with a stage adaptation of The Testament of Gideon Mack from Dogstar Theatre Company.
READ MORE
OVO Hydro crowned venue of the year at Live Awards
OVO Hydro, Scotland's premier entertainment venue, has been named Venue of the Year at the prestigious Live Awards.
READ MORE
Iconic soft drink is hitting the road with the festive truck the nation has been waiting for
The battle of festive cola trucks has already kicked off between Lidl and Coke - but now the country's most iconic soft drink, IRN-BRU, has joined in!
READ MORE
Sean Batty urges Glasgow residents to choose local this Christmas
Weather presenter took part in George Square market as he promotes his first festive children's book, The Worst Christmas Weather EVER!
READ MORE
Glasgow Film Festival 2025 Announces Country Focus, Special Events, and UK Wide Screenings
Glasgow Film Festival (GFF) has announced that its 2025 Country Focus will be Austria and reveals its Special Events which will go on sale on Monday 16th December.
READ MORE
Vote Now! Glasgow Bar Awards 2025 Open Nominations
From iconic institutions to rising stars, the search is on to find the city's best bars, pubs, and hospitality heroes that make Glasgow great!
READ MORE
Ring in the New Year at Flight Club Glasgow with the Ultimate Hogmanay Brunch
Flight Club Glasgow is celebrating Hogmanay in style with a bottomless brunch to end all bottomless brunches and a gorgeous limited-edition cocktail menu.
READ MORE
itison founder calls for action to help children who will have nothing this winter
Founder of Scottish business, itison, Oli Norman, has spoken out about the 'devastating' level of poverty in Scotland this festive season.
READ MORE
Award winning folk star set for sparkling Celtic Connections show
Glasgow-based folk sensation Beth Malcolm is getting set to perform her forthcoming new album to local audiences as part of Celtic Connections at Barony Hall on Saturday 1st February.
READ MORE
Asda colleagues wear Happy to Chat badges to help tackle loneliness this Christmas
Millions of over 60's are facing a completely silent night, and day, this Christmas season, with one in 10 not sure they will speak to anyone across the festive period.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links