COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF LUCAN AREA COMMITTEE
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
QUESTION NO. 27
QUESTION: Councillor G. O'Connell
"To ask the Manager for an update on the provision of the proposed digital hub/library for Palmerstown?"
REPLY:
A new National Strategy for Irish Libraries which will cover the years 2013-2017 is currently being written by the LGMA and will be presented to the Minister in June. It is envisaged that the document will stress the need for continued Government strategic direction and financial support for the Library Buildings Investment Programme which has currently stalled. No new capital programme announcement is envisaged until late 2013.
As with all current funding there is little certainty and finding external funding for the Digital Hub in Palmerston will be challenging. The Library service continues to search for funding streams for the Digital Hub project for the community of Palmerston and to investigate any possibilities which may present themselves.
In the interim the staff of South Dublin Libraries are liaising with Palmerston Community and Youth Centre to profile library services to the community of the area and have agreed a range of activities:
- A book stock selection including both children and adults titles will be set up in the café area of the community centre, including information on library services: library staff will provide materials and replenish collection every 6/8 weeks with community centre staff managing the collection on a daily basis. Customers will be able to browse collection and borrow books in an informal way.
- Programming of school events in the Centre for the autumn to include events during the Children’s Book Festival and/or Teen Festival
- A Book Club will be established in the Centre in the autumn, with support from staff from Lucan and Stewart’s Library.
It was agreed that the space would not be suitable for an exhibition since it is used for evening classes and exhibits would need to be moved out of the space every day to allow for the classes to take place.