Self service libraries coming soon
Westmeath’s libraries â¨will soon be open on a self-service basis from 8am to 10pm.
Following a successful pilot programme in Offaly over the last two years, the My Open Library Service is set to be rolled out across the country.
Speaking at the recent meeting of the council’s Housing, Community, Corporate and Cultural Strategic Policy Committee (SPC), official David Hogan said that the changes will enable library members to access libraries whenever they want.
Moate Library is one of 23 libraries where the My Open Library Service is to be rolled out in 2017.
However, the trade union that represents library staff, IMPACT, has warned that My Open Library will lead to a reduction in the quality of service. In a statement issued recently Ashley Connolly, IMPACT midlands official, said that the My Open Library Service is a “sinister plan to cut costs and services under the guise of extending opening hours”.
“Our libraries remain critically underfunded and nobody seriously believes local authorities will resist the temptation to save more cash by replacing staffed hours with the much more limited range of services available on a staffless basis.
“This will short-change communities. There’ll be no school visits, no storytelling, no help to find what you want, no security presence, and none of the hundreds of educational and artistic events that libraries provide throughout the year.
"Everyone will lose out, especially the elderly, students and people from disadvantaged communities and backgrounds.”
However, Mr Hogan told the members of the SPC that the new service will not lead to a reduction in staffing levels in local libraries.
He also said that while Moate will be the first library in the county where the new scheme will be rolled out, it will be introduced in “all â¨suitable libraries in the future”.