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SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, November 14, 2011

QUESTION NO.18

QUESTION: Councillor G. O'Connell

To ask the Manager for an update on the County Library Development Programme and to indicate the progress that is being made to realize the objective of a Digital Hub for Palmerston?

REPLY:

The provision of a library/digital hub in the Palmerston area is an objective of the Council as outlined in the Library Development Plan 2007-2011.

A Digital Hub would comprise of a condensed collection of books and a small suite of PCs offering online library services, information and access to the digital world. Ideally the service should be sited in an area that is easily accessible for all users and preferably in an area where people gather for other activities in order to maximise the use of facilities and resources. Several possible sites for this Digital Hub have been explored but no suitable site has yet been identified which meets the criteria for such a community space in Palmerston.

The current Library Development Plan envisages the expansion of service points across the County and the extension of existing buildings where demand for service is particularly high and population growth is indicated. The plan also acknowledges that factors such as availability of financial and human resources are critical to the delivery of these objectives. All library projects funded by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government must satisfy the criteria as outlined by the Department.

The Library Service is always open to seizing opportunities that might arise for the improvement of library infrastructure and will continue to work to identify a site and resources for the Digital Hub at Palmerston.