This article is from page 14 of the 2012-03-27 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 14 JPG
THERE is a lively readership in West Clare. That is how one county councillor put it when he learnt that the number of people using their local library service has increased.
The membership of the five branches serving west and mid Clare increased by 125 in 2011, but the number needing the internet service at the local library has decreased.
County librarian Helen Walsh said this may be due to more home usage as lines become faster and less costly.
There was a drop of 346 members of the Kilkee library in 2011 however, with the number of books issued dropping by 6,210. There is an explanation for the drop however from the county library offices.
“During this time Kilkee library dropped membership, issues and internet usage due to the building works associate with the new Cultúrlann Sweeney,” said Ms Walsh.
The largest number of new readers was recorded in the Kilrush library, with an increase of 74.
Miltown Malbay increased its membership by 47 in 2011 while Kildysart went from 311 members in 2010 to 315 members in 2011.
Kilmihil showed a decrease in its membership of 78.
The five libraries continue to provide services despite cuts to their budgets and staffing levels within Clare County Council.
Ms Walsh explained that all development at the libraries is on a phased basis over a five-year period and according to the priorities and objectives laid out in the Library Development Plan 2010 to 2014.
“All objectives are budget and staff dependent and there is a real challenge in maintaining present stand- ards whilst striving to improve services in the present climate. The book fund has decreased from € 279,600 in 2009 to € 257,160 in 2010 to € 217,160 in 2011 at a time when the county population is increasing,” she said.
“Demand for other formats of book provision, downloadable and foreign language, also results in a further stretch on an ever decreasing book budget. The non-replacement of staff retiring or availing of various kinds of leave entitlement puts further stresses on the services regarding maintaining opening hours. An audit of opening hours in all branches will be undertaken this year,” said the county librarian.
“It is imperative that we keep these services. What is good we hold,” said Cllr Christy Curtin (Ind).
“The statistics are telling us of a very lively readership in Clare, “ he said.