COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, March 10, 2014

HEADED ITEM NO. H4b) (i)

HEADED ITEM: C. Services Department

STRATEGIC POLICY COMMITTEES

B. Arts, Culture. Gaeilge, Education & Libraries Strategic Policy Committee

(i) Report of Meeting  11th February 2014

Report of Arts Culture Gaeilge Education and Libraries SPC held on 11^th February 2014 

Members:

Cllr P Cosgrave – Chair

Cllr M Devine

Cllr M Duff

Cllr J Hannon

Cllr G O'Connell

Ronan Leydon 

Officials: 

Philip Murphy, Director of Service

Ian Stobbart, A/County Librarian

Kieran Swords, Senior Executive Librarian

Aoileann NiDhonnacha, Oifigeach Gaeilge. 

Item 1        Confirmation of Minutes of Meeting held on 12^th SNovember 2013 

At the commencement of the meeting the Chair Cllr Cosgrave welcomed Mr. Ronan Leydon to his first meeting of the Committee. 

The minutes of the meeting of the Committee, which was held on 12^th November 2013, were proposed by Cllr Cosgrave and seconded by Cllr Duff.

 

Item 2        Report on Seachtain na Gaeilge 2014  

The Chair Councillor Paddy Cosgrave welcomed Aoileann Ni Dhonnacha, Oifigeach Gaeilge to the meeting. 

Ms. Ni Dhonnacha made a presentation on the forthcoming celebration of our National day and highlighted the progress made over the years in the County with the Festival and reminded Members of the scale of growth that had taken place and the huge increase in the number of organisations that now took part in the celebrations. The Report which made reference to: 

• The success of the festival
• The recognition of the brand: Snagact
• Extensive series of events scheduled – over 130
• Increased participation by organisations
• Number of new organisations taking part for first time
• Highlights including Tour of Baldonnel Airport and events in County Hall and Aras Chronain
• Most events free of charge
• Official Launch by Mayor on 18^th February 2014  

Mr. Murphy asked Members to particularly note that the Council will again be taking part in the Greening of Buildings Initiative this year to mark our National Day and that an invitation to all events was extended to all Members. 

Cllrs Cosgrave and Duff, raised a number of points relating to the presentation and congratulated the team on their efforts.  

Item 3        Report on new Design Approach to Branch Libraries 

The Chair Councillor Paddy Cosgrave welcomed Ian Stobbart, A/County Librarian to the meeting. 

Mr. Murphy introduced the background to this report which was a follow on from the adoption last year of the Library Development Programme and how the strategic concepts outlined in that policy document were further developed. In particular Mr. Murphy highlighted how the approach was being crystallised into the design of the new branch library at Rowlagh Village in North Clondalkin. Mr. Stobbart then introduced the report, which focussed on: 

• Current thinking in library building design
• Approach to designing a 21^st Century building
• Focus on four main themes
• Learning Spaces
• Inspirational Spaces
• Meeting spaces
• Performing spaces
• The importance of the arrival space and the 'welcoming' approach
• Flexibility was the key overarching principle 

Mr. Stobbart with the aid of a presentation then explained how these principles had been adopted to fit the design of the current proposal for a branch library in Rowlagh. 

Cllrs Cosgrave, Duff, Hannon and Devine and Mr. Leydon  raised a number of queries regarding the report and presentation and Mr. Murphy and Mr. Stobbart responded. 

Item 4        Report on 'Our Heroes' research project and website 

The Chair Councillor Paddy Cosgrave welcomed Kieran Swords, Senior Executive Librarian to the meeting. 

Mr. Murphy introduced the report and highlighted the work of the Library Service on the Decade of Commemoration Project highlighted that the research on this subject matter was unique and highly valuable to the extent that access to the material was being sought by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and the National Museum. Mr. Swords then summarised the report and highlighted the following: 

• Continues the work of the Local Studies Team on Decade of Commemoration
• Extracted from 'Irish Life' periodical and 'Our Heroes' supplement
• Some 1,600 individuals were mentioned in the publications
• Uniquely there is a photographic record associated with personal data
• Website being developed which will hold data
• Information is not available anywhere else on web
• Information of significant local interest
• Website will have facility for further relevant information to be uploaded to collection 

Cllrs Cosgrave, Devine and Hannon  raised a number of queries regarding the report and Mr. Murphy and Mr. Swords responded.

Item 5        Filling of vacancy on Board of Rua Red 

Mr. Murphy reported that South Dublin Community Forum have written to the Council nominating Mr. Ronan Leydon to represent them on the Board of Rua Red and that the matter is now before the Committee for formal recommendation. 

On the proposal of Cllr. Cosgrave seconded by Cllr Duff it was AGREED to recommend to the Council that Mr. Ronan Leydon be appointed to the Board of Rua Red. 

Mr Murphy informed the Committee that their recommendation would be listed on the agenda for the March meeting of the Council.

Item 6        AOB 

There was no business under this heading. 

The meeting concluded at 6.45pm.