ScottishPower Foundation literacy initiative now open to schools across Scotland.
Primary schools across Scotland are being offered the opportunity to create their dream library, thanks to Library Energiser. The initiative, created by the ScottishPower Foundation as part of its sponsorship of the Edinburgh International Book Festival, gives schools the chance to win a £2,000 investment in their school reading space as well as their own mini book festival and an author visit.
The 2015 initiative was launched today (Friday, 1 May) with the help of children’s author, Emily Dodd (below), who will be taking part in this year’s Edinburgh International Book Festival. Emily met with pupils from Royal Mile Primary School at the Central Children’s Library in Edinburgh and shared tales from her book, Can't-dance-Cameron: A Scottish Capercaillie Story.
Last year, Library Energiser was successfully piloted in Edinburgh and Glasgow and sparked the imaginations of bookworms across the two cities. Glasgow’s Sandaig Primary School and Edinburgh’s Rowanfield School were selected as overall winners and put the prize money towards transforming an unused storage space and neglected library corner into bright, interactive libraries where pupils could nurture their love of books.
Ann Loughrey, Trustee and Executive Officer, ScottishPower Foundation, said: “Following the success of last year’s Library Energiser initiative, we are bringing it back for a second year and opening up entries to primary schools across Scotland. We understand how important libraries are to a child’s education and are delighted to continue to help schools through this initiative and let two more schools create their dream libraries.
“The ScottishPower Foundation is committed to supporting community programmes that inspire young people to get more out of education, arts, culture and science. The Edinburgh International Book Festival is one of the UK’s best-loved literary events with a strong schools programme and we are very pleased to support it.
Janet Smyth, Children & Education Programme Director, Edinburgh International Book Festival, said: “Each year, schools from across the length and breadth of Scotland make their way to Edinburgh for the Book Festival, so it felt right to make Library Energiser a nationwide initiative.
“This is just one of the events we run for school pupils, aimed at encouraging greater participation in reading, writing and sharing stories. We are looking forward to continuing our partnership with the ScottishPower Foundation in this year’s Book Festival, welcoming some of the world’s leading authors and illustrators to Scotland and getting people excited about books.”
To enter schools must submit a photograph of their current reading space and 100 words on how they would like it to look and feel in the future. Entries should be submitted by email to libraryenergiser@stripecommunications.com by Friday, 26 June 2015.
Terms and conditions for the competition are available at http://stripecommunications.com/news/scottishpower-foundation-library-energiser
For further information or additional images, please contact Emma Paul at Stripe Communications, on 0131 561 8620 / 07913 677 332. You can also email spfoundation@stripecommunications.com
Notes to editors
ScottishPower Foundation
The ScottishPower Foundation is a registered Scottish charity (SC043862) and a company limited by guarantee (SC445116). The Foundation’s aim is to make a significant and lasting contribution to society and enhance the quality of life in local communities. It provides funding to registered charities and non-profit organisations for the following purposes: the advancement of education; the advancement of environmental protection; the advancement of the arts, heritage, culture or science; the prevention or relief of poverty and the relief of those in need by reason of disability or other disadvantage; the advancement of citizenship and community development.
Edinburgh International Book Festival
The Edinburgh International Book Festival is the largest public celebration of books in the world, with 800 authors from over 40 different countries appearing in around 750 events every August. The 2015 Festival will run from 15 to 31 August and full programme details will be announced in June 2015. The school’s programme is available to view on www.edbookfest.co.uk.
Emily Dodd
Emily Dodd is passionate about science and wildlife. She writes for CBeebies TV science programme Nina and the Neurons and has written science workshops and stories for the Scottish Seabird Centre, Edinburgh University, National Museum of Scotland and Our Dynamic Earth. Emily was the 2012/2013 Scottish Book Trust Reader in Residence at Leith Library, Edinburgh. Can't-Dance-Cameron is her first picture book.