Enniscrone Library service under threat
ENNISCRONE Library is the latest library service to come under the threat of closure in Sligo.
It’s emerged that the two part- time librarians who run the Enniscrone branch both due to retire in May and October may not be replaced.
The Council has to ask the Department of Local Government if they can replace the retiring staff, but have yet to get a meeting with senior Department officials.
Cllr Joe Queenan was told the news after he tabled a motion calling on the Council to confirm that Enniscrone library would be kept open after the current staff retire.
“I’m concerned about the reply I got. Enniscrone has had a library since 1955 when the old fire station was turned into a new library,” said Cllr Queenan.
“It’s imperative that we do everything in our power to keep it open. We own the building, it’s just a question of staff,” he said.
Cllr Thomas Healy also tabled a motion calling on Ciarán Hayes to write again to the Minister of Local Government Simon Coveney to sanction the recruitment of staff to replace retiring staff. “It’s disappointing that we didn’t look down the road and raise the fact that we had two retirements coming up. The unions raised it. It doesn’t matter where they are, everyone is entitled to a good service,” said Cllr Healy.
“I’m very disappointed that more than likely they’ll have another closure,” he said.
Council Chief Executive Ciarán Hayes told the meeting that he had written to the Department’s Paul Lemass about his concerns five times since last September, most recently on Friday February 3rd, seeking a meeting but got no date.
He agreed to write once more to the Minister specifically asking him to sanction the staff replacements to ensure that all Council libraries will be kept open.
A third librarian ( full- time) is also due to retire from the rest of the services.
Cathaoirleach Cllr Hubert Keaney said the serious matter was in relation to the Financial Plan: “We’re left holding the can again. It is wrong,” he said.
He said the Minister made it clear that the issue was to be dealt with by the Department and so the Department officials should engage with the Council.