€63k to fund 'Open Library' system

More than €63,000 has been allocated to help fund a new initiative that will see after-hour access for library users made available, and a new self-service borrowing system managed by an interactive kiosk introduced.
Part of the new public library strategy for 2013-2017, 'Opportunity for All’, under which amalgamations of library local services have also been proposed, a total of €63,750 has been allocated to the council to roll-out the new scheme at the Johnston Library in Cavan.
The funding from the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government amounts to 75% of the total estimated eligible cost of the project, and is VAT inclusive.
The Department expects the first drawdown requests to be submitted by local authorities from mid-November 2016.
Pilot schemes in Sligo and Offaly proved successful, anyone over 18 can sign up for the service, which allows them to let themselves in to the library building outside normal hours, borrow and return books, and use the existing facilities.
In both counties the service allowed users to access the library between 8am and 10pm from Monday to Sunday, while library staff continued to be on hand during normal opening hours, providing traditional book services.
A sum of €48,075 has been granted to Monaghan County Council in respect of introducing the scheme at Carrickmacross library.