PUPILS at West Dunbartonshire’s schools could be set to benefit from a share of £450,000 from a national funding programme aimed at improving school library services.

Scotland’s Deputy First Minister John Swinney this week launched the second round of bidding for the Scottish Library Improvement Fund (SLIF), which offers a total fund of £1 million over three years.

The first round was launched in September 2017 to support school library projects as part of a wider approach to improving literacy and educational attainment.

Education authorities have until May 14 to apply for their share in this second round of funding.

The fund, which is administered by the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC), supports projects that meet key priority areas, including the curriculum, health and wellbeing, information and digital literacy, family learning, and standards and leadership.

In particular, school libraries are encouraged to submit projects that support the Year of Young People 2018.

The project, to raise the attainment of pupils with English as an additional language, involves all secondary schools in the area and three primary schools, and aims to enhance literacy skills by encouraging a love of reading and engaging with families. Pupils and their families will be involved in a shared writing project that will produce a book exploring the subject of identity.

Mr Swinney, said: “Our £1 million SLIF recognises the vital role that school libraries play in supporting literacy and improving attainment.

“It aims to encourage innovation within the school library sector and, last year, funded 15 fantastic projects across Scotland including a pioneering scheme in the Highlands to encourage teenage sensory reading and a mental health and wellbeing initiative in Clackmannanshire.

“I would encourage all schools to consider applying for the fund and use the investment to make their school library an exciting and inspiring place to learn."

SLIC chief executive Pamela Tulloch said: “We know from research that well-resourced libraries with professionally qualified librarians can lead to better attainment and positive attitudes to learning.”

More information on the fund, and how to apply, is available on the SLIC website at scottishlibraries.org/funding/school-library-improvement-fund/