Libraries to transfer 20,000 books a week across country

Library users will soon have much quicker access to books from branches at opposite ends of the country, with over 15m titles to choose from.

A plan being developed for all local authority libraries will see around 20,000 volumes transported between counties each week to satisfy reader demand — up from fewer than 150 books a week previously.

Members can currently borrow books from most of the 333 library branches run by 30 councils around Ireland, but must wait until an item is returned to its home library, and then a book, DVD, or other item is sent by library staff in the post.