U-turn over closure of ‘outdated’ city library
Watched by dozens of protesters, they voted to postpone the closure of St Mary’s Road library on the city’s northside, which was due to shut in four weeks, pending “proper consultation” with the community.
This is despite agreeing in July 2008 to relocate the ageing facility and build a modern replacement library elsewhere.
St Mary’s Road library was one of the city’s first public library branch offices to open outside the city centre in 1971.
During a lengthy debate last night, city manager Joe Gavin reminded councillors that the previous council agreed in 2008 that the branch was outdated and needed replacement.
It followed a report last year which showed the St Mary’s Road branch was too small for modern requirements, had a small membership of just 1,000 people and made about 50,000 issues a year in a population which should yield about 250,000 issues.
Mr Gavin also stressed that following the agreement of councillors to build a replacement library, contracts for a 25-year lease of an 11,600sq ft public library in Blackpool Shopping Centre at €116,000 a year have been signed with Blackpool Developments.
“We will deliver an excellent, modern facility which is closer to more schools,” Mr Gavin said.
However, Cllr Thomas Gould proposed a motion calling for a three-month delay in closure to examine possible cost-savings at the St Mary’s Road branch.
Cllr Catherine Clancy said: “Moving it to Blackpool is like moving it to another parish and to serve a new type of client.”
Cllr John Buttimer said it was always his view that the St Mary’s Road branch would close.
Cllrs Sean Martin and Terry Shannon said councillors have already made decisions on three separate occasions in relation to this project and it should proceed as planned.
“We are elected to take decisions. If we are to fold on this one, what are we going to do in December [drafting the city’s budget] when really tough decisions have to be taken,” Mr Shannon said.
But after a lengthy debate, councillors voted to defer closure.
Mr Gavin said he will have to examine today the implications of the vote on the terms of the lease.
The city has also signed a 25-year lease with Canmount Ltd for a 10,500sq ft public library in Douglas Shopping Centre at €150,000 a year.
Plans to develop a new €600,000 public library in the former Abode Hostel at the junction of the Skehard Road and Ballinure Road are advancing.
It is expected the library will be developed within about six months
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