COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN / PALMERSTOWN / NORTH CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, April 28, 2026

QUESTION NO.21

QUESTION: Councillor L. O'Toole

To ask the Chief Executive while acknowledging the My Open Library service as a very positive and accessible initiative whether South Dublin County Council Libraries have considered the introduction of external out-of-hours book return facilities (post box-style drop-off points) at library branches and if there are any plans to pilot or roll out such a service to further enhance accessibility and convenience for users.

REPLY:

SDCC Libraries have not undertaken a review of external 24/7 return chutes/post boxes  for branches to date. At present, 5 of our branch libraries provide opening hours of over 54 hours per week, with Lucan Library operating My Open Library (MOL) service. Ballyroan Library is also due to open as a MOL branch later this year. This will give registered members access from 8am-10pm , 365 days a year - allowing self-service borrowing and returns. 

In terms of 24/7 access, a book borrowing and return service is already available at Tallaght University Hospital via the new library kiosk cabinet. This offers round the clock borrowing and returns to hospital patrons and staff. We would be happy to provide usage data from Lucan MOL and Tallaght Hospital Kiosk.

Any expansion of out-of-hours return facilities for library branches would require assessment of building suitability/security  - and are not in plans at present.