Ashbourne Library to receive €195k investment

Funding of €194,679 to roll out the My Open Library Initiative in Ashbourne was announced by Minister Heather Humphreys today (Tuesday).

The funding for Ashbourne is part of an investment of over €3.1 million in 46 library branches across the country.

Some €2.2 million in funding will be provided to roll-out the ‘My Open Library’ initiative in a further 17 branches – which will allow people to access their local library outside of normal opening hours and a further €900,000 will be invested in enhancing the equipment in a further 29 branches that already have the ‘My Open Library’ service in place.

Minister Humphreys made the announcement as the World Library Congress opens in Dublin. The event is hosting approximately 1700 delegates from 100 countries.

Trim Library already operates the My Open Library system and Kells, Slane and Nobber Libraries are ready to introduce it.

Minister Humphreys said: “I’m really pleased to support 46 library branches right across the country with an investment of €3.1 million.

“This funding will see the roll-out of the ‘My Open Library’ initiative in a further 17 branches – ensuring thousands more members can access their local library outside of normal opening hours.

“This initiative allows people to avail of self-service library services between the hours of 8am and 10pm, seven days per week.

“They provide such essential services to people, both young and old, and this funding will give so many more people greater access to their local branch.

“It reflects the fact too that some people like to visit their library early in the morning or late in the evening due to work commitments.

“I’m delighted that we are in a position to roll the initiative out in these additional branches.”

The Minister concluded: “‘My Open Library’ is the flagship initiative under the current Public Libraries Strategy ‘Our Public Libraries 2022 – Inspiring, Connecting and Empowering Communities’. It will also form an important part of the successor to the current public library strategy which my Department is currently working on.”