19,368 readers registered in library services

March 1977

IN his report on the library service over the past year, which is circulated at the monthly meeting of Louth county council, county librarian, Mr. P. Moynagh complains that accommodation in Dundalk, Drogheda and Ardee is inadequate.

He urges members to do something about the matter, and it is agreed the problem will be discussed at the next library committee meeting.

Mr. Moynagh says, ‘In order to give the service we would like, I believe an all-out effort should now be made to get the sites in these towns, so that plans can be prepared for new branches and headquarters.

‘ This would mean that a mobile service could then be operated from headquarters, which would serve those areas in Dundalk and Drogheda not served by a branch, and this service could be used for future branch planning in these towns.’

The report states 561,706 books were borrowed, 378,890 of them by children.

The number of books borrowed by adults increases by 34,702 and by children by 50,3000.

There are 137 service points in operation during the year, consisting of three branches, 74 school centres, three adults centres and 57 mobile stops.

The latter service, introduced in February, was used by 1,902 readers who borrowed 38,552 books.

The county librarian remarks in regard to an increase of 13,510 readers and of 325,184 books issued since 1974, ‘It shows how right the council was in introducing the two mobiles, and increasing the book fund.’

In the past year, 13,926 volumes are added to shock, and overall, with books withdrawn and lost, the stock increases by 6,385 to 80,144.

The total number of readers registered 19,368, an increase of 9,236. is