Libraries to get €7.8m funding

ABOUT €7.8 MILLION in capital funding is to be provided for libraries as part of a development plan for the sector, the Government has said.

The money will fund libraries in Dublin, Louth, Donegal, Roscommon, Carlow, Offaly and Mayo. It will also be used to replace a mobile and delivery van in Limerick.

About €500,000 will be provided for the new central library in Dún Laoghaire. A similar sum will be invested in a library for Swinford, Co Mayo.

Libraries in Gweedore, Co Donegal, and Ballymahon, Co Longford, will receive €600,000.

The library at Ballymote, Co Sligo, is to receive funding of €670,000.

However, other planned libraries due to begin building, including in Kilkenny City and Donegal Town, will be developed “subject to public finances being available” next year.

The investment is part of a plan for public libraries developed by the Government in 2008.

Minister for Housing and Local Services Michael Finneran is to officially announce the funding today. Speaking yesterday, he said he hoped the investment would make “a significant contribution to promoting economic recovery in the towns involved”.

He said the building and refurbishment of the libraries would create significant local employment in construction, fit-out and in the area of information and communication technology.

The Minister also said he was pleased to see evidence of very significant increases in library usage across the State.

People were availing of initiatives such as free e-learning to “update their skills to enhance their chances in the jobs market”, he said.