25/07/2011

Archived item. This item is published here for historical reasons. The information below may be out of date.

South Dublin County Council welcomes Minister Hogan’s announcement that Ballyroan Library is set to receive just over €3.2million under the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government’s Library Capital programme.

The Minister expressed his delight at being able to announce the new programme:  ‘Investment in libraries is money well spent that will yield a huge dividend in the years to come in terms of personal and community development for people of all ages and backgrounds.

Ballyroan Library was opened in 1986 and is one of the busiest service points in the library authority. It is a branch library at the heart of the community catering for adults, teenagers and younger readers with its range of stock, activities and events. There has been significant regeneration of the local area recently with the re-building of the community centre and a new pastoral care facility. The library as it exists now is operating beyond its expected capacity with the original exhibition space having been adapted as an IT suite. Extra space is vital to accommodate the increasing events and activities that are expected of a modern library service.

The Minister added that “Libraries contain a wide variety of training facilities, specifically ICT and language training. These are particularly beneficial for people in the jobs market.  The availability of internet access and wifi are also very useful tools for library users,”

The grant allocated will allow the rebuilding of the library with increased floor space over two floors and significantly contribute to the regeneration of the area.

An additional grant of €190,000 has also been allocated to South Dublin’s Mobile Library Service. This will be used to purchase a new van that will be fitted out to cater specifically for children. The importance of early learning and literacy levels is crucial to fostering a generation of adults who can contribute to their community in terms of economic and social development. Thus, this van will provide a fun and comfortable environment for early learning with a focus on stock and services for children. It will concentrate on visiting crèches, preschool facilities, community centres, schools, Traveller accommodation spaces and areas that currently have no branch library.

For further information please contact Georgina Byrne, County Librarian georgina.byrne@sdublincoco.ie