Library closure averted thanks to staff
BALLYWALTRIM Library will remain open in the new year after fears that it would close due to staffing.
Planned reductions in service in Wicklow and Greystones libraries have also been reversed.
In a statement, Wicklow County Council said that the move had been averted ‘as a result of the cooperation and flexibility of all library staff.’
The council announced earlier this month that the closure and reductions would be temporary.
The unwelcome move was due to the recent transfer of six staff members to other local authorities.
Enniskerry Library remains closed for maintenance work and roof repairs.
BALLYWALTRIM Library will remain open in the new year, despite an earlier announcement that that it would stay closed in January due to staffing issues.
Planned reductions in service in Wicklow and Greystones libraries have also been reversed.
In a statement, Wicklow County Council said that the move had been averted ‘as a result of the cooperation and flexibility of all library staff.’
The council announced earlier this month that the closure and reductions would be temporary.
The unwelcome move was due to the recent transfer of six staff members to other local authorities.
Ballywaltrim was to close altogether, with Greystones to close early on Thursdays and a reduction of two or three days’s service in Wicklow town.
Wicklow County Council Director of Community, Culture and Social Development, Michael Nicholson explained at the time that the issue arose due to the workforce plans being developed by each local authority before being adopted by their IMPACT library union members, and then submitted to the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government for approval.
Due to a number of issues that have arisen nationally, IMPACT informed its members not to endorse proposals, until national issues could be collectively resolved. However, when this instruction occurred, some counties had already received local union backing and then submitted their Work Force Plans and were granted approval from national government to fill vacancies.
‘When the public service staff embargo was slowly lifted in 2014, a number of library positions could only be filled on contract basis, nationally. This included a number of library staff with Wicklow County Council,’ said Mr Nicholson. ‘With some nearby counties now filling vacancies on a permanent basis, a number of staff have opted to transfer from Wicklow to ensure the security of permanent posts. Libraries such as Greystones, Bray and Wicklow are affected by this, with the loss of six staff to other locations since September.’
All branch libraries in Wicklow closed for the Christmas holiday period at 5 p.m. on Friday, December 22. They will reopen from 10 a.m. on Tuesday, January 2.
Enniskerry Library remains closed for the time being due to maintenance work and roof repairs.