COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

MOTION NO. 23

MOTION: Councillor G. O'Connell

"To ask the Manager for an update on the identification of a suitable site for the Palmerston Digital Hub."

REPORT:

The Libraries Department is always open to seizing opportunities that arise for the improvement of branch infrastructure but it is important that the space that is eventually decided on can accommodate the services envisaged for communities. In order to progress the Digital Hub project two important criteria need to be in place. Firstly, the identification of a suitable site for the Library/Digital Hub and secondly, a source of funding to deliver the project to completion. Several sites have been examined over the past year with a view to their suitability as a Digital Hub location. A site at Woodfarm Acres was identified as a potential site earlier this year but identification of funding to progress such a project has been unsuccessful. In the current economic climate and with the current National Capital Fund for Libraries currently under review the identification of resources is extremely problematic.

The Library Service will continue to support Palmerston communities in every possible way through services from the library in Stewarts Hospital and the mobile service which operates at Kennelsfort Road, the Old Lucan Road, Glenmaroon Park and Woodfarm Drive.  The County Librarian recently met with the Executive Director of Corporate Affairs at Stewarts Hospital to discuss the joint library currently operated by the hospital and South Dublin County Council. The library building is very small and is in need of reorganisation and internal remodelling as well as additional shelving. It has been agreed between the two partner organisations that this work will be carried out over the coming months – determined by funding within existing budgets. New finger signs directing people to the library were put in place in Palmerston Village and on Mill Lane during the summer. A marketing campaign for the library is scheduled for January 2013 and the library has recently hosted several events as part of the Redline Book Festival.

Stewarts Hospital is also planning to have a new primary school completed in Balgaddy by 2014 which will result in the existing primary school beside the Sports and Leisure Centre in Palmerston Village becoming vacant. A large hall in that school could make for an excellent library/digital hub – outside of the walls of the hospital, beside Waterstown Park and the leisure centre.  The library service would be happy to further scope this project if it is deemed suitable and can be delivered within existing resources and with agreement from Stewarts Hospital.

The County Librarian also met with the chairman of the management company of Palmerstown Community and Youth Centre to view the facility and ascertain if synergies might be created between the library service and the centre for the delivery of a service there. The large central hall in the centre which could serve as a library offering is a significant part of the income stream of the centre and joint usage between libraries and a myriad of local groups would be very problematic. The other rooms within the centre are too small to offer any possibilities for service delivery.