Call for new library and ‘good budget’ for books
LESS money is being spent on library books here than the national average.
The meeting heard that Sligo County Council can only afford to spend 92c per capita on books here.
The per capita national standard and benchmark target on book stock is ¤3.77.
Councillor Chris MacManus was told the amount after he asked what progress had been made on an application for funding for a new-build Central Library for Sligo City.
Director of Services Dorothy Clarke said the Government has no Libraries Capital Programme to pay for one. The case for a new library for Sligo was already recognised by the Government who had originally allocated ¤6.4million in 2006.
The recession put an end to that and the money was with- drawn in 2009.
The Council sought funding again from the Department in May 2015, outlining the need for a new library to serve the local population of Sligo town and hinterland of up to 45,000 people.
Their plan included a com- plete revamp of the existing Stephen Street site to incorporate the Manse and Church buildings.
They were told in 2015 that a new library would be reconsidered should money become available.
Cllr MacManus asked if there was any way the Council could submit an application for funding in advance of the money becoming available, especially given it was approved in 2006.
“Sligo is suffering. We have been sitting in the queue for a new library. We’re at less than a quarter of book stock.
“Not only should we get a new library, but a good budget for book stock,” he said.
Cllr Declan Bree said it was “because of the failure of the Executive to move forward in 2006 and start work in ‘09 that we lost ¤6.4million. It’s sad.”