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Branching Out:Future Directions

On Monday June 23, Mr. John Gormley T.D., Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and Mr. Michael Kitt T.D., Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, launched Branching Out - Future Directions , the new policy document which will drive the development of the public library service in Ireland over the next five years. Minister Gormley explained that this policy document builds on the original report Branching Out, which was published in November 1998. It looks at progress made to date and identifies the challenges facing the public library service over the next five years and through a series of priorities and recommendations sets out the directions for future action. Read more

Buildings Database

On June 05 2008, in Dundalk library, the Chairman of An Chomhairle Leabharlanna, Cllr. Mark Dearey, launched an on-line database of public library buildings, Librarybuildings.ie.  The database provides comprehensive and readily accessible information on public library buildings in Ireland.

The project is managed by An Chomhairle Leabharlanna with the assistance of a small advisory committee.

The award-winning digital media company, XCommunications, was commissioned to work on the design and implementation of the database and web application.

Phase 1 of the project focussed on recent grant-aided library developments.  The database was expanded to include libraries in heritage buildings. Read more

New Board Members of An Chomhairle Leabharlanna

The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Mr. John Gormley, T.D. has announced the appointment of the new board members of An Chomhairle Leabharlanna. The members will serve until December 2012.
The new Chairman of An Chomhairle Leabharlanna is Cllr. Mark Dearey.

Summary of public library estimates for 2008 released

An Chomhairle Leabharlanna has released a summary of the estimates of expenditure by public library authorities. Available from An Chomhairle's website the summary shows that:

  • Total public library spending in Ireland is set to increase by 10.7% over 2007 to €130.5 million in 2008.
  • Expenditure per head of population on public library services will increase from €27.81 in 2007 to €30.78 in 2008.
  • All thirty two library authorities plan to increase their estimated spending on public library services.