Fund of €7.8m gives libraries support in digital age
By Mary Dennehy
SOUTH Dublin Libraries is exploring further opportunities for digital learning locally following a Government announcement that public libraries can plug into a €7.8m fund to support their growth as digital learning centres.
Last week, the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring TD, announced an investment package for digital services and facilities in public libraries.
The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring TD, and Howard Hall from Tallaght Library at the announcement of the €7.8m fund
The €7.8m investment, €5.2m from Minister Ring’s department and a further €2.6m contribution from local authorities, will enable ICT infrastructure upgrades, meeting-space technologies and digital-learning suites in public libraries nationwide.
Support provision will include, iPads/tablets/smart devices for users and staff (to assist users), computers and work stations including image-deployment technology, software to support design, gaming and coding, podcasting equipment and workstations, mobile LCD screens with audio and interactive whiteboards.
Speaking at the announcement of the investment at the County Library in Tallaght, Minister Ring said: “This investment and the new strategy is focused on public libraries delivering a modern, progressive library service which connects and supports communities and individuals.
“It is an ambitious strategy which is aimed at increasing library membership and usage of our public libraries.
“It will develop digital learning centres and innovation centres, providing users with access to the latest technologies and supporting library users who are not confident with technology.”
The investment will contribute to the Government’s Our Public Libraries 2022 – Inspiring, Connecting and Empowering Communities, which seeks to establish libraries as an important enabler of digital services and facilitor of digital skills development.
When contacted by The Echo, a spokesperson for South Dublin County Council said: “South Dublin Library Service continually seeks ways to enhance service delivery to our customers and this announcement of funding will help ensure that infrastructure hardware, software and online services are maintained and developed further.
“It will allow us to explore opportunities for digital learning, building on the experience of the digital training room in the County Library and Palmerstown Library Digital Hub.”
