Macroom bookworms get early Christmas present

TOWN LIBRARY TO RE-OPEN IN NEW VENUE NEXT WEEK

WHEN fire gutted the Briery Gap Cultural Centre in Macroom last May the local library, which had been situated in the building, was also forced to close its doors to the public.

While some of the books in the library were damaged by smoke, the facility was spared major damage, thanks in no small measure to the efforts of the local fire service and the Briery Gap’s emergency plan.

Thanks to their efforts hundreds of books and documents, many of significant importance, were removed from the building ensuring they were not damaged burned or damaged by smoke and water.

At the time Cork County Council promised they would reopen a library in the town as soon as possible, putting in place a temporary weekly mobile service every Thursday at the Cork Marts Complex.

The authority is now set to give the local community an early Christmas present following the announcement that a new library service is set to open its doors in a temporary location at Railway View next Wednesday.

“The new Railway View location will allow restoration of full-time hours and access to a full range of books and other items,” said a council spokesperson.

The news has been given a warm welcome by local Fine Gael county councillor Ted Lucey, who said the six-month closure of the library was a ‘ huge loss” to the local community.

He said the new library, situated in the former Spar shop across from the bus depot, would remain in use until such a time as the Briery Gap was re-opened.

“The enforced closure of the library following the fire was a huge loss to the local community as it had been a major focal point for the town for many years,” said Cllr Lucey.

He said that people of all ages regularly used the library, from elderly people meeting friends to local student’s avail of it after school hours and for research purposes.

“A library is a fantastic resource for any community to have at its disposal and the opening of the facility is a big step forward for Macroom,” said Cllr Lucey.

“My hope now is that restoration work at the Briery Gap will commence so the library can return to its proper home,” he added.