Cultural Heritage Project

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Changing Libraries Programme

Building on the major investment in library automation in the last six years, this programme brings together a number of new and recently developed online resources, to provide the public with free of charge access to a comprehensive collection of information not available elsewhere and to facilitate this access with the introduction of Internet wireless connectivity to all public libraries.  The programme was launched in Autumn 2005, by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Mr. Dick Roche T.D.

Programme Objectives

The programme will:

• Establish a sound infrastructure through the enabling of Internet wireless connectivity for public library branches
• Develop and provide for the public a comprehensive online local studies, genealogy, reference and general interest service, through partnership with public and private bodies.  The service will include the provision of access to resources such as:
  • Historical Maps, in agreement with Ordnance Survey Ireland,
  • Irish Times Archive, in partnership with the Irish Times and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government
  • Griffith's Valuation, the primary source of genealogical information for 19th century Ireland
  • Ask About Ireland - further enhancement of the resources of the website involving the addition of a number of topics containing significant amounts of new content from the local studies collections of the public libraries and a Student Zone section with a variety of content for primary and secondary school children.
• Enable the national marketing and promotion of a uniform, progressive service

The programme is managed by a team from An Chomhairle Leabharlanna.