Opposition throws book at plan to amalgamate libraries

Opposition is growing to the amalgamation of library services nationwide, with local councillors, Oireachtas members, and trade unions warning it will lead to the closure of branches in small rural communities.

However, the Local Government Management Agency, which is overseeing the changes, has insisted that no library branches will close and that, in fact, seven new or extended ones opened in 2014 with six more to follow this year.

“The purpose is to establish stronger, more effective, and efficient public libraries and deliver better library services to local communities and citizens,” said the agency, in a statement.

The LGMA said that combining the collections into a single entity, amalgamating the library workforce, and the establishment of a shared management structure will enhance the service rather than downgrade it.

The counties involved are Cavan/Monaghan, Laois/Offaly, Longford/Westmeath, Carlow/Kilkenny, Cork City/County, and Sligo/Leitrim/Roscommon.

“The purpose of the Government strategy is primarily to deliver more effective and efficient public library services and not a cost saving exercise,” said the LGMA.

Last November, Environment Minister Alan Kelly said the introduction of a single library system was the first of its kind in Europe and would provide significant benefits to the public.

Councillors in Laois have written to Mr Kelly asking him to reverse plans to amalgamate the county’s library services with those in Offaly. Elected members supported motions opposing the move at the monthly meeting of the local authority.

Labour Party Senator John Whelan said: “I am diametrically opposed to efforts to ram through inter-county amalgamations which will only be detrimental to the quality of library services, afford no material savings and ultimately lead to further library branch closures. This is not just a war of words but a call to put an end to this bean counters’ charter to turn the heart and soul of our towns and villages into lifeless libraries, where staffs are replaced by a swipe card.”

The trade union Impact claims the proposals will undoubtedly lead to the closure of some smaller libraries in rural areas.

Peter Nolan, national secretary, said there were legitimate fears about the future of local library services as the new governance structure could be outside the remit of public representative advocacy and local authority influence.

Impact is also concerned about the erosion of responsibilities in local authorities. “Local authorities have been divested of their responsibilities for Irish Water, higher education grants, and driver licensing. We do not want to see another service removed,” he said.

Impact met with the Local Government and Management Services Agency last Thursday but, according to Mr Nolan, no progress was made. “We cannot allow the library system to be to be gutted for the sake of number crunching and minimal cost savings.”