Migrant workers will be able to order books from their local library

It aims to improve services for migrant workers from places such as Eastern Europe and the far east.

They and their families will be able to request books from the catalogue from their local library.

The project, led by Dundee City Council, was one of 10 which was awarded a share of �450,000 in funding from the Scottish government.

Elaine Fulton, director of advisory body, the Scottish Library and Information Council, said it was a "smarter way of working".

She told the BBC Scotland news website: "We'll have a scheme where libraries will be buying materials which are shared among local authorities."

"At the moment, we have a lot of Polish workers, a lot of Czech workers, a lot of Portuguese workers in the Borders, and Thai workers in Shetland who work on the fishing boats.

LIBRARY FUNDING AWARDS Dundee: �89,600 plus another �17,126 for the national shared project East Renfrewshire: �46,004 Edinburgh: �100,000 Falkirk: �26,923 Highland: �29,197 Inverclyde: Borders: �18,450 Shetland: �23,300 Stirling: �65,850

"Instead of local authorities duplicating things and buying books which are only taken out a few times, we will be able to move around the collections.

"For example, a Polish worker in Inverness will be able to look at the collection and order a book in Dumfries he wants to borrow."

Ms Fulton said all the projects which had been awarded funding were chosen because they would make a difference to communities.

In Edinburgh, libraries in Kirkliston, Ratho and Moredun will work with young people to tackle anti-social behaviour.

Important role

Libraries in East Renfrewshire will display more information about health, while Stirling will set up reading clubs and online discussions for disadvantaged groups.

Culture minister Linda Fabiani said public libraries played an important role for the communities they served.

"I am glad to see projects offering library support to groups such as young people and migrant workers," she said.

"This funding will help libraries across Scotland continue to improve the quality and diversity of the services they offer."