COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN/PALMERSTON/NORTH CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, November 24, 2020

QUESTION NO. 29

QUESTION: Councillor P. Gogarty

To ask the Manager for an update on the activities within the Digital Hub in Palmerstown, to outline the challenges caused by the ongoing Covid crisis and to examine creative ways of utilising the space over the coming 12 months given the issues that we will continue to face even with vaccine trials advancing and affordable testing kits more likely in the coming months?

REPLY:

South Dublin Libraries continue to provide online e-Resources to our customers including E-books, E-audio, Newspaper articles and magazines, Language Learning and Community Education Courses available at https://sdcc.ie/en/services/sport-and-recreation/libraries/library-services/online-resources/. This service is free of charge and is available with a valid membership card, people can also join online.

The staff at Palmerstown Library ran online Halloween crafts for children along with spooky Storytime sessions, coinciding with the midterm break. Restrictions during Level 5 of the Covid-19 pandemic prevent “in person” events occurring, but staff have adapted quickly to provide zoom events and online workshops. Author Carmel Uí Cheallaigh visited Palmerstown Community School on Zoom and writing workshops for children with Simone Schuemmelfeder are planned for December. A series of webinars on Cyber Safety for children will also run through December. A seasonal craft workshop will also take place with materials posted out to families.

Staff are continually looking at new ways of delivering services to customers and the “Library under the Lid” initiative, supported by the Dormant Accounts Funding, will deliver a selection of items to customers at home, through the Mobile Library Service. The aim is to encourage people to make their first step back to the library or to continue to use the library@home service in a friendly and safe manner”.