The libraries are celebrating a double funding windfall from the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) that will bring social and economic benefits to Stirling’s communities.
Funding of more than £45,000 from the Public Library Improvement Fund will be used to evaluate the impact of the new maker spaces in Bannockburn and Cowie. The annual fund is set up by the Scottish Government and administered by the SLIC.
Bannockburn and Cowie Maker Spaces
The Bannockburn maker space opened to the public this month as part of a major refurbishment of Bannockburn Library, with Cowie maker space scheduled to open in the Spring when the library relocates to the new Community Hub.
The research, called Making a Difference, will be conducted in partnership with Stirling University, looking at engagement with children, young people at High School and individuals using the Maker Space services on a regular basis.
The research project will explore how a freely accessible maker space with trained library staff can improve wellbeing and support recovery following the Covid-19 pandemic, with programmes that target health, economic growth and strengthen communities.
Convenor of the Community Planning and Regeneration Committee, Councillor Chris Kane, said: “The role played by our public libraries will be an essential part of the recovery process as we look to rebuild our society following the pandemic.
“The maker spaces will offer a unique resource in the heart of our communities, and the research project will help ensure we are delivering the service in the right way moving forward while contributing to Stirling Council Libraries and Archives future strategy, benefitting the wider library sector.”
Afer-school digital clubs in Cowie, Plean and Fallin
Stirling Libraries were also awarded COVID Relief funding of £34k by SLIC to support after-school digital clubs in Cowie, Plean and Fallin Libraries.
SLIC were asked to distribute Scottish Government funding to projects which would tackle the attainment gap in schools, aid social isolation or improve health and wellbeing which has suffered during COVID.
The funding will help establish an after school digital STEM club targeting senior primary school children in the former mining villages of Fallin, Cowie and Plean, offering a wide range of digital activities.
The library service will work closely with education to identify those children and families who may have fallen behind as a result of school closures and digital poverty. Their plans include an organised programme of activities so children can explore virtual art work in VR, Microbit programming, Lego and Lego animation, 3D modelling and printing.
Vice Convenor, Councillor Scott Farmer, said: “Our libraries are more than places to loan books, they are an important community resource providing opportunities for people to build new skills and the plans to deliver after school STEM clubs in the Eastern villages is an excellent example of the enhanced services they can offer.
“Young people are our future and libraries will be an important community resource for them, offering a range of services that can help them develop now skills and bring huge benefits to them as they move through school and in later life.”