Staff-free libraries are here – but union isn’t convinced

SEVERAL libraries are to extend their opening hours on a trial basis later this month by operating without staff for parts of the day.

The scheme for early morning, late evening and Sunday opening will initially be rolled out in Tullamore and Banagher in Co. Offaly, Deansgrange in south Dublin, and Tubbercurry in Co. Sligo.

The libraries will continue to be manned by staff during normal opening hours.

The scheme has been questioned by librarians in the Impact trade union, who fear theft, attacks on library users and vandalism in the facilities.

Don Culliton of the Local Government Management Agency said the agency would closely monitor how the scheme was working.

‘There will be an out-of-hours scheme on a pilot basis and a national roll-out will depend on how it goes,’ he said.

Customers will be able to borrow books and DVDs during the staff-free period.

Annette Kelly, head of library development in local government, said that she preferred the term ‘extended opening libraries’ rather than ‘staff-free libraries’.

The pilot branches will be open from 8am to 10pm and also open on Sundays.

She said security cameras would not be actively monitored but would record events when staff are not around: ‘Library members have a barcoded card and also a fourdigit PIN which they will use to access the buildings.’

Impact official Peter Nolan said: ‘There will be no security people on duty and we will not co-operate with this scheme, especially when so many library positions remain unfilled. There is also a danger when staff come on duty, as they won’t know who is inside the building, possibly waiting behind bookshelves.’