COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF LUCAN AREA COMMITTEE
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
MOTION NO. 18
MOTION: Councillor E. Higgins
"That the Manager provide an update on proposals for developing further library facilities in Palmerston."
REPORT:
South Dublin with a population of over 265,000 people has one of the lowest numbers of branch libraries in Ireland. A key objective of the Library Development Plan 2012-2016 is to address this infrastructural deficit and to deliver new library buildings into communities where they will have the most significant impact as catalysts for change. This objective is however more than ever dependant on the availability of the necessary resources.
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 current economic climate and with the National Capital Fund for Libraries currently uncertain the identification of resources is problematic.
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 autumn 2013. The County Librarian however will continue to work with the Libraries Unit in the LGMA in order to keep the profile of South Dublin to the fore.
Services to the communities of Palmerston continue to be developed by the Library Service including four mobile library stops at Kennelsfort Road, Woodfarm Drive, Old Lucan Road and Glenmaroon as well as six others in the Lucan area. St Lorcan’s Boys NS is also visited monthly by the Mobile Library service with class registration and classroom libraries being delivered. Literacy projects have also been ongoing throughout 2012 and 2013 with PobailScoil Isolde and St Brigid’s NS in Palmerston. Library staff will attend the Palmerston Community Centre Open Weekend in June to market the services of Stewart’s Library and our online resources and services to schools.
Staff from Stewart’s Library and from Lucan Library are also working with the team in the Community and Youth Centre to raise the profile of both libraries to the local community and a number of new initiatives are planned for autumn 2013 including:
- A book stock selection with 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.