Irvine Royal Academy has received a cash boost of nearly £10,000 to support creative and innovative projects in its library.

The School Library Improvement Fund (SLIF) aims to support activities which meet key education priorities, including literacy development, information and digital learning and health and wellbeing.

The secondary school has secured £9,937 from SLIF, which is administered by the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) on behalf of the Scottish Government.

Funding will be used to fund library-based projects to improve literacy among young people and parental engagement in children’s literacy skills.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “School libraries have a vital part to play in supporting literacy and improving attainment right across the curriculum.

“We want libraries to be the vibrant hub of our schools and further investment of £272,000 through the School Library Improvement Fund will strengthen their role.

“I am very pleased to see recipients focussing on not only literacy but health and wellbeing, STEM, digital learning and engagement with their wider community.”