A new Mullingar Library is to open in June this year, while initiatives whereby young people deliver library books to elderly people are set to spring up around the county.
Councillors received an update at Monday’s council meeting on Westmeath’s library services from county librarian Mary Farrell.
The new 847 square metre facility at Mullingar, to be opened in June, is to have a stock capacity of 30,000. It will house 16 public access PCs, study facilities, a multi-purpose events room, a local studies and reference department, and separate areas for adults, teenagers, and children.
The new building follows on from the recent success story of the new Moate Library, which boasts improved space, accessibility and on-street location; increased opening hours; and enhanced computer services and children’s area, with an increase in membership of 190 per cent from 2008 to 2009.
During 2008 there was an overall increase of 7 per cent in membership of Westmeath’s libraries, and a number of successful library initiatives, including a children’s summer reading challenge involving 1,782 children, took place. Libraries also held an extensive programme of events and exhibitions throughout the year.
Under the council’s Library Development Plan 2004-2009, a network of new libraries has been completed across the county, with new branches in Athlone, Castlepollard, Ballinacarrigy, Kilbeggan, and Moate. Killucan Library was also relocated and refurbished.
In addition, several schemes are being developed between libraries across the county and local community groups.
In Tubberclair, the local Foroige club have begun an initiative to deliver books from the library to senior citizens in the area, which it is hoped can be extended to other areas in the county. Twenty members of Tubberclair Foroige Group provided a library service to 40 housebound senior citizens.
“We don’t have the facilities for library staff to deliver books to the housebound, so we would like local Foroige and other groups to come forward,” explained Ms Farrell.
According to Cllr Joe Whelan, a bibliotherapy initiative is also being developed in conjunction with the HSE, while councillors also complimented the great partnership between the county library service and schools.
