Library has new digital services despite closure

SLIGO County Council has announced new free online services for Library members - ironically just a day before it announced the closure of Sligo Central Library.

County Librarian Donal Tinney, Patricia Keane and Pauline Brennan announced the rollout of six new online services at a Special Policy Committee Meeting of Arts and Culture last Tuesday.

They include ‘ BorrowBox’ eBooks and eAudio books, digital magazines, free online language learning that teaches real conversations in over 70 foreign languages, over 400 eLearning courses and nearly 700 of the world’s top newspapers.

“People can dip in and out of the services or learning courses and learn at their own pace,” said Patricia Keane. They are available 24/ 7 on www. sligolibrary. ie by selecting the Online Services tab.

As well as access to those new services, readers in Sligo will now have automatic access to library books in every public library in the State from January 2017.

Members will have a single library card across all libraries, universal membership for all children and a ‘ virtual’ library.

“It’s a ground- breaking initiative, the first of its kind in Europe and will provide significant benefits to the public,” said Senior Executive Librarian Pauline Brennan. She said people can order a book from Cork/ Kerry Library and a courier will deliver to Sligo twice weekly.

Cllr Rosaleen O’Grady acknowledged the work done by local staff.