AUTHORITY CLOSED FORMER LIBRARY DUE TO ‘STRUCTURAL CONCERNS’
EFFORTS to find a new premises for Kanturk Library are set to bear fruit over the coming weeks with officials from Cork County Council understood to be close to securing a new building in the town for the facility.
The authority unexpectedly closed the library two-weeks ago, due to what were described by officials as “structural concerns” in relation to the building on the towns Main Street.
At the time Kanturk/Mallow Municipal District Officer Liz Donovan said the council was left with “no option” but to close the building and erect scallolding around it as its condition was posing a potential danger to the public.
She said the council had engaged structural engineers to assess the condition of the building, adding that that they would be taking action to address any outstanding issues.
The council’s director of municipal districts and rural affairs, Mary Ryan, confirmed the library would not be returning to its former location because of the condition of the building.
“The library service has been trying to engage with the landlord for a number of years to get work done on the building. However, the landlord has refused to engage or do the work the service wanted carried out. It had got to the stage where, because absolutely nothing had been done to the building, it had become dangerous with slates falling to the ground,” said Ms Ryan.
“It was a hazard to the public and a hazard to staff. So I closed it on health and safety grounds.”
Ms Ryan went on to say that while the authority was in negotiations in relation to one of a number of suitable alternative buildings in Kanturk, they would not be “held over a barrel”.
“We have identified a particular suitable building and will work closely with its owners to bring this process to a conclusion as soon as possible. The timescale depends on how negotiations go, it could be done quickly, it could take months,” said Ms Ryan.
Speaking to The Corkman this week local county councillor John Paul O’Shea said an agreement has been reached by the authority for a new library premises.
“It is hoped the new contracts will be on the lease can be signed and the premises adapted to accommodate the library over teh next few weeks,” said Cllr O’Shea.
“One these details are confirmed the location of the new library will be made public along with an expected opening date In the interim, library services will continue to be provided from Newmarket and other libaries in teh area in addition to the mobile service,” he added.