North Ayrshire Libraries successfully bid for funding from the School Library Improvement Fund for the Building Better Readers project. From July 2019 the post of Library Development Officer (Primaries and ASN) included  a review of the provision of 37 of the 54 (at 2019)nNorth Ayrshire Council Primary and ASN School Libraries and/or related reading cultures through a series of coordinated visits to schools. This  included a post-visit bespoke list of recommendations, highlighting of best practice and collaboration to share their ideas across a wider network.

School priorities and activities visits until March 2020  (which varied by school):

• Assistance/guidance in the selection of new materials and furniture
• Guidance to schools for possible funding sources for projects
• Reviewed collections and made recommendations for improvement in stock or organization.
• Assisted with establishing paired reading programme, with training of pupils in schools.
• Advised and guided schools on library management systems’ procedures and opportunities.
• World Book Day (WBD) Celebration
• Pupil Monitor scheme from recruitment interviews to training.
• Developed a tailored book-discussion group for schools to implement independently. Page Turners Book group.
• Paired Reading P6/7 & 2/3 (35 trained) with 3 schools including Rights Respecting School.

North Ayrshire Libraries have finalised  the project and has shared the resources which are available here and on the Education Scotland’s Glow web pages.