National award nomination for library project which opens ‘experience for all"

Orkney Library and Archive has been shortlisted in this year’s Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) awards.

The awards recognise the outstanding levels of commitment, creativity and value libraries offer people and the communities they serve.

Orkney Library and Archive is one of just six of Scotland’s leading library service providers that have been nominated.

Orkney is shortlisted in the ‘Project Excellence’ category for their ‘Digital and Sensory Experiences for All’ project.

This has seen the library make sympathetic and imaginative use of technology to bring benefits to everyone within the local library community.

VR, bubble tubes, wall projectors, light tubes and tactile toys have been deployed to provide engaging and meaningful experiences for specific groups, such as those with early onset dementia and young carers, providing a unique range of experiences for library users.

Councillor Gwenda Shearer, Chair of the Council’s Education, Leisure and Housing Committee said: “What a fantastic achievement for the Orkney Library and Archive Team, to be recognised in these important awards".

“The Orkney Library and Archive is very special to people in our community – and provides a much needed service.  The digital project has seen that service expand further, opening up special experiences for some of those most in need in our local area.” 

SLIC Chair, Professor Ian Ruthven, who led the awards judging panel, said the entries for the 2023 competition delivered an “incredible range of innovation, thoughtful interventions and inspiring local leadership.”

“Libraries are unique cultural, educational, and social spaces,” he added. “As well as providing core library services, they continue to offer ambitious responses to the big issues facing our local communities including tackling climate change, mitigating the cost-of-living crisis, improving attainment, and supporting health and well-being.

“We congratulate all those who were nominated for this year’s awards.  The entries share common values of community-mindedness, empathetic decision-making, and passion for what a library service can offer. 

“They also offered repeatable models for delivering excellence and together they demonstrate the incredible commitment and creativity of Scotland’s library services.”

The SLIC Awards are open to all SLIC member libraries, with winners receiving a trophy and cash prize. All entries had to highlight the work of library services and teams which demonstrate exceptional innovation and service design between June 2022 and June 2023. The winners of the 2023 SLIC Awards will be announced at the SLIC Showcase and AGM on 3 November 2023.