Public voices fury over planned cuts at Carnew library
'FRIENDS' GROUP ORGANISES MEETING
PROPOSED CUTS to the opening hours of Carnew Library came under the spotlight at a public meeting held last Thursday in Carnew.
Around one hundred locals, as well as five public representatives, were in attendance at the meeting held in Carnew Community Care. The meeting was hosted by the newly formed Friends of Carnew Library.
The meeting heard how Wicklow County Council is to cut Carnew Library's opening hours from 16 per week to 12 per week. In addition, Carnew Library's retiring librarian will be replaced by three librarians from Aughrim, Tinahely and Rathdrum libraries.
County librarian Brendan Martin from Wicklow County Council told attendees that Carnew Library has 1,000 registered lenders, who borrowed 18,000 books in 2011. This compares to 12,000 books lent out in similarsized libraries in Co. Wicklow.
'It is not the cost of the service but the public service embargo on recruitment' that is behind the proposed cutbacks, said Mr. Martin, adding that Carnew Library will open just three days a week from March, instead of four. 'We want to maintain the service as much as we can and we'll do what we can as we want to keep a quality service,' he said.
Cllr. Nicky Kelly questioned whether there could be a derogation from the embargo on recruitment where the librarian's role in Carnew can be shown to be necessary. 'We can make a case for a specific role here for the education and well being of people,' said Cllr Kelly. ' The library is the last thing to be considered when the Council considers its budgets. If the opening hours are reduced in villages, they won't be coming back.'
Cllr. Pat Doran added that there were at least 1,000 schoolchildren in Carnew itself, and the library is an essential tool in their education.
Other suggestions from members of the public present included using contract staff to maintain the library's opening hours at 16; hiring an intern to act as librarian on a contract basis; and lengthening the morning session so that primary school children would not be denied access to the library.
All the public representatives at the meeting pledged their support for constructive efforts to maintain current services at Carnew Library.
Those in attendance included Cllr. Sylvester Bourke, Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council; Billy Timmins TD; Cllr. Pat Doran, Cllr. Vincent Blake, Cllr. Nicky Kelly, County Librarian Brendan Martin, and Aisling O'dwyer representing Simon Harris, TD.
Letters of support were received from Anne Ferris, TD, and Cllr. John Brady.
Friends of Carnew Library will present a petition to Wicklow County Council at the next Council meeting on Monday, February 6. The petition calls on the Council to maintain the current opening hours and services at Carnew Library.
- FINTAN LAMBE
