Orkney Library funding award to boost digital offering

Walk on water, kick a virtual football, test your grey matter with a range of interactive quizzes and stimulate your memory – just a snapshot of the new digital experience that will be on offer at the Orkney Library and Archive soon.

Thanks to funding of £8,500 from the Scottish Government’s Public Library Improvement Fund, the Kirkwall facility will be purchasing a mobile digital interactive floor projector – initially for use in the library – however, it could also be used in care facilities or schools in future.

Neil Gray MSP, Scottish Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development who was brought up in Orkney, made the funding announcement recently as part of the allocation of £200,000 to public libraries across Scotland through the Fund.

The Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC), which distributes funding on behalf of the Scottish Government, selected eight initiatives to receive grants from the Fund, supporting sustainable development and innovation within Scotland’s public libraries.

Orkney Libraries and Archives Team Manager, Vikki Kerr, said the Sensory Exploration Project builds on the digital offerings already in place at the library – such as virtual reality headsets and interactive smartboards.

“We are so much more than simply a place to come and borrow books. The floor projector has over 5000 built in media assets in its library, that offers access to stimulating content that is suitable for multi-sensory exploration, play, learning, therapy and relaxation.

“More than one person can use it at any one time so there’s that interaction and inclusivity element as well. The sessions will be tailored to suit those using the equipment. For example, we can stimulate movement, light and sound, as well as reminiscence and memory functionality for people with dementia.

“It will also be used generally in the library for people of all ages to have some fun with the more playful apps that are in built into the machine.

“We are hoping to receive the projector in early March and begin some small trial sessions with partner groups to see how best we can make use of it.

“This is about removing barriers for those who may be vulnerable and missing out due to a range of circumstances, helping us achieve our wider Council objective of promoting and enhancing our communities’ health and wellbeing.

“The staff can’t wait to be trained in its use and thereafter see the real benefits to those who attend the sessions.”

There may be more exciting developments on the horizon for the Orkney Library and Archive so keep an eye out for further announcements.