COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, December 12, 2011

MOTION NO. 8

MOTION: Councillor J. Lahart

That in light of the enhanced services provided by our libraries, and the fact that libraries are no longer for the sole purpose of lending books, the Council considers the merit of naming the new Ballyroan Library as Ballyroan Library and Media Centre and considers a similar name change for the County Library

REPORT:

Over the past five years South Dublin Libraries have been working to build a strong brand and to position this brand in the public mind. Since the publication of the 2007 Library Development Plan the concept of libraries as ‘community living rooms’ has been developed where our buildings are offered as democratic public spaces, egalitarian and freely available to everyone. The word ‘Library’ has been used in relation to all services and the ‘Library’ brand recognition resonates from the 24/7 Library Website at www.southdublinlibraries.ie , to the Mobile Libraries – Libraries without Walls, to Branch Libraries and through to the County Library itself. All engagement with social media tools is also branded under the name of South Dublin Libraries. The Council regulary promotes and communicates to residents across the County the depth and richness of services offered by contemporary libraries. Many people still associate public libraries solely with paper books. The County Librarian is currently writing a design brief for Ballyroan Library which will outline all the technologies and innovative services to be found in the new building. This will drive all marketing for the new service and will raise awareness of what a contemporary public library offers. While the County’s Library Service is recognised nationally as one which uses technology in innovative ways, the technology is always deployed for the same purpose – universal access to books, information, research and heritage.