Fury at staffless library plans

Librarians are throwing the book at plans to develop staffless libraries which would allow for longer opening hours.

Local authorities in Offaly and Sligo are piloting “open libraries” which mean the buildings are open from 8am to 10pm, seven days per week. Staffing levels and hours are to remain the same and, outside those hours, the libraries would be unstaffed.

The thinking is to allow the public to access the library at a time that suits them — at present many people are not free to come in during regular business hours.