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Minister for Rural and Community Development announces almost €2.8m funding for libraries to adapt to Covid-19

  • Heather Humphreys also turns the sod on the new Library in Portlaoise, Co Laois

A €2.8 million package to assist libraries to adapt to Covid-19 has been announced by the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD.

Minister Humphreys made the announcement today (Wednesday, 05 August) as she turned the sod on the new Portlaoise Public Library.

The Department of Rural and Community Development will provide €2.5m to support a Small Scale Capital Works Programme for public libraries.

The Department funding will be matched by local authorities to the value of approximately €280,000 giving a total investment of almost €2.8m.

Turning the sod on the new library in Portlaoise, Minister Humphreys said,

“My Department’s Libraries Capital Programme is investing €3m in this build but without considerable investment and commitment from Laois County Council we wouldn’t be here today commencing this exciting project.

I know this library will be a top-class facility located at the heart of your community and is going to be a huge boost to the town.”

Announcing the new Small Scale Capital Works Programme, Minister Humphreys said:

“One of the key actions of our public library Strategy Our Public Libraries - Inspiring, Connecting and Empowering Communities, is to develop library buildings that are fit for purpose and reflect the quality of services on offer.

I am delighted to be in a position to announce a Small Scale Capital Works Programme which is a new investment in public libraries.”

The Minister continued:

“We have in excess of 300 libraries across the country and this funding will support local authorities to transform many of their existing library buildings into modern, welcoming spaces that will leave a positive legacy for years to come.

“It will also allow libraries to be adapted to meet social distancing requirement and to provide additional remote working facilities. Libraries provide a broad range of important services for their communities and it is imperative that they be well maintained to ensure that people not only wish to utilise the service but also view the library as a modern, well equipped facility.”

Funding will be provided to upgrade facilities and technologies in libraries and make the buildings more sustainable and energy efficient.

In concluding, the Minister thanked local authority and library staff

“for their continued energy and commitment, which has been especially evident during the past few months, and is key to the success of our public library service.”

ENDS

Note for Editor

Small Scale Capital Works Programme

•The Small Scale Capital Works programme will complement the existing Libraries Capital Programme. A call for proposals will issue to Library Authorities seeking innovative ideas and initiatives but an indicative list of possible actions include:

  • Upgrades to facilities e.g. remote working facilities, new furniture and fittings, library occupancy counter & traffic control technology, porches, awnings, ventilation system etc.
  • Technology / software to support contactless user services e.g. apps for borrowing, user e-services access management, booking management services etc.
  • Energy Efficiency technologies in libraries to make the buildings more sustainable and energy efficient by installing LED sensor motion lighting, insulating or replacing roofs, and fitting heating systems that could utilise solar power etc.

•Each Library Authority (30) will be invited to submit proposals for an initial allocation of €60,000 as a contribution towards the costs works to be carried out with the potential for up to 17 Library Authorities to increase their allocation to €100,000.

Libraries Capital Programme Update

  • The Libraries Capital Programme will invest some €29 million in 18 projects, and the My Open Library service between 2016 and 2022. The Programme has six completed library projects with five projects at construction stage.
  • The My Open Library (MOL) initiative provides self-service access to libraries that is additional to normal staffed hours. Library members can access a MOL library from 8am to 10pm, 365 days a year. The My Open Library service is currently available in 15 libraries and will be provided in a further 10 before the end of 2020.

Libraries Reopening Following Covid Restrictions

  • 240 out of 327 library branches are now reopened. Of those, 200 are providing a browsing service, either by appointment or drop in, and the remainder are providing a ‘Contact and Collect’ service for members who do not wish to enter the premises.
  • Some of the smaller branches may not open for browsing until the social distancing requirements are reduced as they are small in size e.g. a room in a community centre and have only one member of staff assigned to them.
  • Libraries continue to provide their online services which includes eBooks, eAudiobooks, newspapers, magazines and eLearning courses.

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