COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM/TEMPLEOGUE/FIRHOUSE/BOHERNABREENA AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

QUESTION NO. 9

QUESTION: Councillor Mary Seery-Kearney

To ask the Chief Executive what is the Council's policy position regarding "free little libraries" set up on council property - green spaces/entrances to parks?  Has there been enquiries about them? If it has been considered, is there any funding for them?

REPLY:

Little Free Library

“The Little Free Library is a non-profit organisation that works on the principle of “take a book, return a book” exchange policy. ‘The Little Library’ come in many shapes and sizes, but the most common is a small wooden box of books. It requires volunteer stewards to erect, donate and monitor the little library.

While the library service can advise any community group or residents’ association on information they require in setting up such a service, South Dublin County Council library service would prefer to encourage residents to take out free membership in their local branch library, with access to a wide range of materials including books, DVDs, magazines, online resources, languages and courses. The community also have access to trained, motivated staff with expert knowledge in the area of reading and learning supports.

As part of the 300k Have Your Say initiative, South Dublin Libraries purchased the required allocation of free library books for the Lucan/Palmerstown area. The budget was €3,000 and books were purchased and delivered to five centres in the area.

The project was completed in early 2018”.