This article is from page 30 of the 2007-11-13 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 30 JPG
A NEW branch of the Clare County Library service will open its doors to the public in Scariff today.
Situated on the Mountshannon Road in the town, the modern and spacious building forms part of Clare County Library’s long-standing tar- get of providing a full-time branch library in every town with a popula- tion of more than 1,000.
The new branch will serve a population of more than 6,000 in Scariff and its hinterland. Clare Mayor Patricia McCarthy officially opened the new facility yesterday.
Noel Crowley, Clare County Librarian, said, “Staff hope the new library will be central to the life of
the local community and will become a cherished facility for the people of east Clare. It replaces the part- time service point which previously served residents of the Scariff area.
“The branch library will share the new premises with offices of Clare County Council, which means that the building will be a ‘one-stop-shop’ for the people of the Scariff area.”
In addition to a stock of more than 19,000 books, the new Scariff Library will hold CDs and DVDs, daily newspapers, magazines, for- eign language fiction, audio books and large print books.
Facilities on offer will include free internet and email, a community notice board, photocopying, an on- line public access catalogue and a
local studies reference and research section.
“Games for children such as chess, draughts and jigsaws are available, while children’s story time and craft sessions will run throughout the year — all creating an atmosphere of fun and learning for the children of the area and ensuring that this library will be a great place to visit,’ added SOO
It is envisaged that book clubs for adults and children will be set up in the near future. The building also houses an exhibition area and a com- munity meeting room.
The building has been designed and constructed with accessibility in mind. This includes provision of a platform lift and automated openers
on sensors to entrance doors, as well as ramped access and level access from the rear of the building.
Contrasting colours in floor finishes and pedestrian routes make it easier for those with colour-blindness or other sight problems
Caroline Aherne, recently appoint- ed assistant librarian at the library, remarked, ““Remember — this is your library. Come and check it out.”
The Scariff Library opening hours are: Monday 10am to lpm and 2pm to 5.30pm; Tuesday and Thursday 10am to 8pm; Wednesday and Fri- day 10am to 5.30pm; Saturday 10am
Koay eeF For abeasetee information, phone O61-922893 or — email
mailbox @clarelibrary.ie.