Restoration work begins on oldest purpose-built library in Scotland
THE oldest purpose-built library in Scotland is undergoing a £500,000 restoration.
Dunblane’s Leighton Library was
opened in 1687 and houses a historic collection of books, including the private collection Bishop Robert Leighton and a first edition of Robert Burns’ poetry. Work on the Grade A listed building began in October and is being funded by
donations. Once completed it will see the fab- ric of the building restored – including work to remove and repair inappropriate render and a new roof. There will also be a revamp for the former librarian’s living quarters, which will be turned into a community space. While work is taking place, the library’s collection of more than 4,500 books has been handed to the care of Doree Bonner International. Colin McGregor, Special
Projects Director for Doree Bonner Inter- national, said: “We are delighted to be a part of such a major project for the Leighton library, the handling of such historic pieces has been an honour. We look forward to returning the books to their rightful home when the restoration works are complete.” To donate to the restoration fund, visit
www.justgiving.com/campaign/leightonlibraryresto- rationproject.
New books for education in Nigeria
TENS of thousands of books have been donated to Nigerian schools, universities, medical colleges and public libraries. More than 45,000 books have been donated by publishers in the UK, through charity Book Aid Internation- al. Now those books have been shipped to Lagos to be distributed to a range of educational organisations in the coun- try. The shipment has been supported by the People’s Postcode Lottery. As well as supporting education in the country, the donation will also be targeted at displaced people across Nigeria’s West- ern States. Pathfinders International is
December 2022
one of the organisations that will distrib- ute books, with Country director Dr Amina Aminu Dorayi saying: “We are wo rking to improve the health and well- being of adolescents in internally displaced persons settlements by advancing gender equality and strengthening girls’ agency. “These books will help to build their vocabulary and learn about their bod- ies. They will also help Pathfinder staff in Nigeria to improve their business adminis- tration, development, medicine and social care knowledge. We are grateful to Book Aid International for their generous dona- tion which will no doubt change lives.”
Book Aid International Chief Executive, Alison Tweed, explains that Covid had im- pacted this particular donation, adding: “We started working on this donation in spring 2020 – but then like so many other plans it was put on hold by Covid. We restarted con- versations last year, but it took a further six months to secure the necessary permissions to ship these books. Without the dedication of our operations team, the persistence of our partners and the generosity of our sup- porters, it would not have happened. The books’ arrival has been long-awaited, and we know they will be hugely valued by the many thousands who will read them.”
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