The message that the local libraries in the city and towns of county Kilkenny were of the utmost importance in the daily lives of the unemployed resounded loud and clear this week following a presentation by the head librarian to members of Kilkenny County Council.
Although the funding for the library was all but obliterated in the council’s budget this year Josephine Coyne told the members that never before has the library played such an important role in peoples’ lives.
“There was a 13.5 per cent increase in membership last year and we now have 10 library points in Kilkenny including two mobile libraries. There has been a massive increase in library use as a result of unemployment. People come to the library just to pass the time. They read the daily papers, use the internet and borrow books. Over half the membership is made up of children aged under 14.”
The members regretted their decision to slash the library funding in the budget this year but hoped that next year the county finances might improve enough to allow for a larger allocation.
“Cllr Paul Cuddihy asked for an update on library services closer to budget decision time towards the end of the year and this was agreed.
Cllr Cora Long made a plea for a library for the south of the county as there was no permanent service in south Kilkenny.
The members also approved the proposal to initiate the procurement of design for a new county library and headquarters and additional council offices at the former Meubles site on John Street in Kilkenny.
