Minister Hackett welcomes continued investment in Midlands libraries
An investment of over €3.1 million in 46 library branches across the country, including local branches in Kilcormac and Kilbeggan, has been announced today by Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys.
This investment is for new ‘My Open Libraries’ in Kilcormac, Kilbeggan and Lanesboro and improved services at existing ‘My Open Libraries’ of almost €480,000 in Westmeath, Offaly and Longford.
Offaly County Council has received over €80,000 in funding under the 'My Open Library' initiative for the Kilcormac library branch.
Existing My Open Libraries or those in the process of being converted to open libraries include Banagher, Edenderry, Ferbane, Tullamore in Offaly, Athlone, Castlepollard, Moate and Mullingar in Westmeath, Granard and Ballymahon in County Longford.
Branches in Edenderry will receive €29,506, in Banagher will receive €27,218, in Tullamore will receive €11,574 and Ferbane will receive funding of €17,572 respectively from the Department of Rural and Community Development.
Portarlington in County Laois is set to open a My Open Library shortly, funded under a previous round.
The My Open Library service extends opening hours to library members on a self-service basis outside normal opening hours, from 8am to 10pm, seven days a week.
Minister Pippa Hackett commended the work of librarians across the Midlands, in particular during the last two difficult years.
“I regularly hear from people about how important the library service is to them. This usually focuses on the librarian service but people are also using the extended services.
"Today’s announcement sees new or extended My Open Libraries which is a service to complement regular staffed hours. It optimises the service delivery of our beloved libraries, supports customers, and keeps branches and services relevant and central to community life.”
The provision of the self-service activities during My Open Library hours includes, but is not limited to:
•stock issue and return,
•internet usage on PC and Wi-Fi for use on own device,
•printing, photocopying and scanning facilities,
•studying and reading spaces,
•meeting space, and
•access to toilet facilities.
Announcing the €3.1 million investment, Minister Humphreys said:
“I’m really pleased to support 46 library branches right across the country with an investment of €3.1 million.
“This funding will see the roll-out of the ‘My Open Library’ initiative in a further 17 branches ensuring thousands more members can access their local library outside of normal opening hours.
“This initiative allows people to avail of self-service library services between the hours of 8am and 10pm, seven days per week. I’m also pleased today to announce funding to further improve facilities in 29 branches that have already embraced the ‘My Open Library’ initiative.”
Minister Humphreys continued:
“Supporting our libraries is a key priority of mine as Minister for Rural and Community Development. They provide such essential services to people, both young and old, and this funding will give so many more people greater access to their local branch.
“It reflects the fact too that some people like to visit their library early in the morning or late in the evening due to work commitments. I’m delighted that we are in a position to roll the initiative out in these additional branches.”
The Minister concluded: “’My Open Library’ is the flagship initiative under the current Public Libraries Strategy ‘Our Public Libraries 2022 – Inspiring, Connecting and Empowering Communities.’ It will also form an important part of the successor to the current public library which my Department is currently working on. I would like to thank all those that took the time to respond to the recent public consultation on the development of the new strategy. I look forward to considering these responses and to the opening of further My Open Library facilities into the future.”
Minister Humphreys made the announcement as the World Library Congress opens in Dublin. The event is hosting approximately 1700 delegates from 100 countries.