New chapter for library
A BRAND new mobile library service for the south of the county was launched in Duncannon on Friday by Minister for Rural and Community Development Michael Ring TD.
The minister launched the new state-of-the-art mobile library, hailing it as a fantastic asset to be cherished in communities across the south of the county from Rosslare to Donard.
The launch took place along the stretch between Duncannon NS and Duncannon Pastoral Centre, where the bright, spacious and ultra modern mobile library was parked.
Attendees were given a tour of the mobile library which was purchased and developed following an investment of €250,000 by Minister Ring’s department under the Library Capital Investment Programme 2016-2021.
Minister Ring said: ‘ This new mobile library will provide an invaluable service to over 2,000 library users living in rural areas of south County Wexford. It will service 51 locations in the far corners of the county from Duncannon in the west to Rosslare in the east and up as far as Donard.’
Mr Ring said a mobile library reaches out to rural communities, providing a service not just of books, but of inclusion and connection.
He said it is an invaluable service for rural communities. ‘ The mobile library is a service for young and old. It serves community locations like nursing homes, day care centres and crèches, as well as 21 schools in the south of the county.’
The new, state-of-the-art mobile library has a full range of lending materials and has a stock of over 4,000 books. It offers residents a link to wider library services as staff can check availability of books in other libraries throughout the country, giving members access to any book from any library in the country.
Minister Ring said the €250,000 investment in the mobile library is entirely consistent with his department’s vision to promote and support vibrant, inclusive and sustainable communities throughout Ireland, both rural and urban. Minister Ring also confirmed that he intends to launch a new Strategy for Public Libraries in the coming weeks. The strategy aims to develop high-tech libraries that are attractive and vibrant multi-functional spaces, open on Sunday’s and week nights providing internet access and more services.
In a passionate speech he thanked the Duncannon community for coming out in such numbers, particularly highlighting how pleased he was to see such enthusiasm from the pupils of St Oliver’s NS.
Wexford County Council Chairman John Hegarty said he was delighted to attend the opening of the mobile library, which has been in service since early January. Quoting Albert Einstein, he said: ‘ The only thing you absolutely need to know is the location of the library’.
Cllr Hegarty said County Wexford has produced some great literary figures like John Banville, Eoin Colfer, Billy Roche and Colm Toibin, adding that all great writers start out as great readers.
‘Literacy and reading are some of the most important skills that we can instill in our young people. Wexford County Council has increased investment in the library service even when times have been tough and that investment has paid dividends.’
Describing the county’s library service as vibrant and innovative, he thanked Minister Ring and County Librarian Eileen Morrissey and her staff for the huge effort they have put into providing an excellent, personable library service in the county. He thanked Cahill Truck Bodies of Graiguenamanagh for the worksmanship and craft they put into the vehicle, adding that he was happy that plans to put a Kilkenny registration plate on her never came to pass. Cllr Hegarty also thanked the community of Duncannon, saying they have a village to be proud of.
Music was performed by Joe Daly and later by the Gleeson Group inside the pastoral centre. Wexford County Council CEO Tom Enright, who is chairman of the National Library Development Committee, said it was fitting that the new mobile library service was being launched 90 years on from when the first mobile service began to be rolled out to villages in the county. ‘ The mobile library service has been a very important asset and ensures that all areas have access to reading,’ he said, adding that all of the county’s library branches have access to 15 million books which can be delivered to places like Duncannon.
Mr Enright said the mobile library service provides invaluable support to pre-school and schools across the county, praising the library staff for their work. Three St Oliver’s NS pupils spoke of how important the service is to them, saying they feel very privileged that their school was chosen to launch the service.
One pupil said the arrival of the mobile library every second Tuesday is always eagerly awaited. Adult mobile library service user Kevin Connolly said it means more than books as the library is a place where people congregate; a place where warm greetings are exchanged, where absences are noted and where enquiries about family members are exchanged. ‘It’s another focal point in the village,’ bringing people far closer together than a Kindle every could, he said. Mr Connolly said what was equally important as the new service was the investment in additional library staff that has been made. To cap a magical day, magician Joe Daly who has his own magic show on RTE Jnr called ‘AbraKIDabra’ pulled off some amazing tricks for all gathered.