Staff less library plans go ahead despite ‘paedophile haunt’ fears

A €1.6M plan to roll out staffless libraries in 22 towns will go ahead, despite fears that they could become ‘paedophile haunts’ and ‘grooming centres’ for children.

The trade union Impact’s local government conference in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, heard this week that the Local Government Management Association (LGMA), which represents local authority management, had concealed six incidents of children being left unsupervised at late hours in staffless libraries during a pilot project in Offaly.

Staffless open libraries in Tullamore and Banagher, Co. Offaly, and Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo, highlighted the child protection risks, according to librarians.The incidents became known under Freedom of Information legislation.

On Wednesday, Impact delegates backed motions opposing automated or staffless libraries on the grounds that the move left library staff unable to meet their child-protection responsibilities.

The move towards staffless libraries also cuts potential overtime earnings for Impact members.

A union spokesman was unavailable to estimate how much potential extra earnings his members might lose. But the childcare fears may spark concerns in the towns listed for staffless services, including Arklow, Ballinasloe, Ennis, Buncrana, Carrickmacross, Nenagh and Ardee and about 15 other towns and villages.

The LGMA says its My Open Library experiment would continue and expand, despite the claims. Director of library services Annette Kelly was unavailable for comment but its website says councils are ‘investing €1.6m in the roll-out of the new initiative in 22 public libraries around the country. The new service makes the popular community spaces and collections available to library members from 8am to 10pm, seven days each week.’