Cllr. Fionnán Fitzgerald, Fianna Fáil passed on details and his pleasure at the €3m fund announced by the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, on Monday for library upgrades around the country.
The department funding will be matched by local authorities to the value of c. €1.1m – giving a total investment of almost €4.1m.
Castleisland library is in the mix to the tune of €15,225 which is to be spent on the installation of permanent screens and communication systems.
For the same works classification other libraries got varying amounts of grant aid. Dingle got €8,000; Caherciveen €7,800; Kenmare €8,850; Listowel €13,100; Killarney €13,100; Killorglin €13,100; Ballybunion €4,400 and all branches got barriers and floor signage aid of €3,325.
A Progressive Library Service
A total of 113 libraries will benefit from the €4.1m in overall funding which includes work on meeting spaces, study pods and other upgrades.
The ministerial announcement comes under Small Scale Capital Works Programme in public libraries and as part of the public libraries strategy: Our Public Libraries 2022 which seeks to deliver a progressive library service and facilities that are fit for purpose.
Major Investment in Library Buildings
This funding announcement, along with the library projects funded under the Libraries Capital Programme and the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, sees a major investment in public library buildings across the country.
“When I launched this initiative earlier in the summer I allocated €2.5 million in total.
Overall Allocation Increased
However, following the receipt of the applications, and in recognition of the breadth and quality of the proposals, I have decided to increase the overall allocation to €3m, providing each Library Authority with €100,000 for their proposed works,” said Minister Humphreys.
These works will strengthen the library’s position as a community hub and ensure that it is a modern, well-equipped and comfortable facility that will leave a positive legacy for years to come.
Works will commence in the libraries over the coming weeks and is expected to be completed by the end of 2020 or early 2021.
