Girvan Library Lend and Mend Hub Wins at the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) Awards

South Ayrshire Council is delighted to announce that Girvan Library's Lend and Mend Hub Initiative has won the 'Project Excellence 2025' category at the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) Awards.

The SLIC Awards shine a light on library teams and projects which help to transform communities across the country by providing opportunities to increase community impact, learning and inclusion.

The aim of the Lend and Mend initiative is to help local communities engage in more sustainable practices. Girvan Library's Hub now offers local residents provision to use sewing machines, wallpaper strippers, power washers and more to support with home maintenance and DIY projects. The facilities are free of charge, which helps to build empowerment and strengthens community resilience.

South Ayrshire Council's Depute Leader and Policy Lead for Commercial/Operational Services, Councillor Alec Clark, said: "The Lend and Mend Hub is a fantastic service. As Girvan Library is the first public library in Scotland to extend the services provided, we are paving the way forward to a more sustainable way of living.

"I'm delighted that our Girvan Library has won this prestigious award and it is testament to everyone involved who work tirelessly to make it possible."

South Ayrshire Council's Policy Lead for Housing and Property Services, Councillor Martin Kilbride, said: "Practicing sustainable behaviours is something we should all be trying to implement as part of our daily routines. The provision of the Lend and Mend Hub enables us to contribute towards a circular economy, reducing waste by repurposing items whilst saving money.

"It's a terrific achievement that Girvan Library has won this award, as it highlights the importance of these initiatives and will hopefully pave the way for a greater number of similar programmes."

South Ayrshire Council's Policy Lead for Leisure and Community Services, Councillor Chris Cullen, said: "Whilst the Lend and Mend Hub encourages sustainability, the benefits to the Girvan community are also significant as residents share a common goal to help one another. It's a great achievement that the programme has been identified by such a competitive award and I look forward to seeing other communities reap the rewards of similar initiatives."

Alison Nolan, CEO of the Scottish Library & Information Council (SLIC), said: "The winner of the SLIC Awards 2025 Project Excellence Award is South Ayrshire Libraries for their Girvan Library Lend and Mend project - recognising their outstanding delivery of a new permanent community hub for borrowing, repairing and upcycling resources alongside a major library relocation. 

"Their project balanced the challenge of moving premises while maintaining services and community engagement, with staff leading a seamless transition that expanded opportunities for learning, encouraged sustainable practices and increased social connection through free classes, volunteer-led workshops and intergenerational activities."

More information on the Lend and Mend Hub initiative can be found at: https://scottishlibraries.org/lend-and-mend-executive-summary/