An initiative to widen residents’ access to libraries has been awarded £70,000 of Scottish Government funding.
The One Card project has been designed to let library members take out books and access services provided by councils other than their own.
So far facilities in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, the Highlands, Angus and Perth and Kinross have all signed up.
It has been given a £70,000 grant from this year’s Public Library Improvement Fund to further expand into 15 other areas – with a view to the project covering at least half of Scotland’s libraries.
The scheme was one of 11 projects to receive a share of £200,000 yesterday.
Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “The funding will help libraries across Scotland build on the excellent service they already provide and become welcoming spaces to reduce social isolation and help people make positive connections.
“This forms part of a total of £450,000 funding from the Scottish Government, which also supports the national public library strategy.”
Pamela Tulloch from the Scottish Library and Information Council (PLIF) said: “This year’s winning PLIF bids reflect the diversity of activities taking place in modern libraries
“Alongside reading and literacy initiatives, there are projects designed to help people improve their health and wellbeing, learn new digital skills and take part of more cultural and creative activities.
“People are now using their library as a space to learn, access digital technology and take advantage of community-based projects.”
