Green Libraries Scotland Grant Fund Recipient: interview with school librarian Donna Baird

Category: #LibrariesAreEssential, Blog, Campaigning for Libraries, CILIPSGoGreen, Libraries Week, News

School Librarian and Green Libraries Scotland Grant Fund recipient Donna Baird caught up with CILIP Scotland to share her experience with applying for the fund. Donna shares the serendipitous timing of the fund with an idea she already had, emphasising the positive change that will grow from the library amongst the wider school community.

The funded project, ‘Seeds To Success’ will support the school’s new Support for Learning space and adjacent garden with Kinder boxes decorated by pupils, for which the children will select books to support their emotional, sensory and environmental needs. Creating a safe and welcoming space for pupils to read outdoors and relax, Seeds to Success will encourage mindfulness and the wellbeing benefits that both reading and nature can bring for young people, staff and parents.

It is incredibly important to have the testimony of someone who is currently undertaking such a valuable project, so we’re delighted to share Donna’s experience and project in her own words:

We hope that this wonderful example will encourage anyone who has been contemplating Library funding of any nature, Donna’s words of wisdom are sure to inspire or give the necessary nudge forward!

The CILIP Scotland team are always on hand to give advice and support to any members who are considering applying for Library funding of any kind, so please contact the team at admin@cilips.org.uk to have a chat!