Extended opening hours at Bettystown Library sought

Calls have been made for extended opening hours at Bettystown Library while work continues on the rollout of the My Open Library self-service initiative.

The issue was raised by Cllr Sharon Tolan at this month's meeting of Laytown-Bettystown Municipal District, where she called on Meath County Council to examine options for increasing access to the facility, including evening and weekend opening hours.

In a written response, council officials outlined the success of the library since opening, revealing that more than 71,000 people have used the facility in its first year. The library has also attracted 5,930 new members, welcomed 1,608 sensory room users and facilitated 548 meeting room bookings and events.

The council said the My Open Library initiative, which will allow registered members to access the library outside normal staffed hours through a secure self-service system, cannot be introduced until essential building works and the defects liability period have been completed.

Welcoming the long-term plans, Cllr Tolan said the council's own figures demonstrated why additional opening hours were needed in the meantime.

"Those numbers just prove the point of the motion. They back up why we need extra opening hours," she said.

While acknowledging that the My Open Library service could not yet be introduced, she urged the council to consider interim measures.

"If we can't deliver My Open Library immediately, we need to look at extending those opening hours beyond 5pm to ensure that we are servicing the needs of the community, and that's what this is all about."

The Fine Gael councillor said the facility was particularly important for students, commuters and families who may not have access to quiet study or work space at home.

"We want to support everybody in fulfilling their dreams and getting the grades that they want, that they're aspiring to and willing to work for, and I think we need to put the supports in place as early as possible," she said.

Referring to the library's usage figures, Cllr Tolan added: "Those numbers speak volumes about the success of that building, but I definitely think the big downfall is the 5pm closure."

Seconding the motion, Sinn Fein Cllr Maria White said the popularity of the facility highlighted the need for longer opening hours.

"The response here is like an argument for why the hours should be extended," the councillor said.

Describing the library as a major community asset, the councillor said it provided an important space for children and adults alike.

"We have to consider value for money here, there was so much money spent on getting this service into the community. It provides an environment for some children and adults that they may never have in another aspect of their life – comfort, warmth, quietness, calm and peacefulness but the hours that it is limited to are just not working."

Cllr White argued that the current opening hours were not meeting the needs of the community and said many residents perceived the facility as being closed too often.

"We talk about inclusion and accessibility. That is not an inclusive, accessible library in our community," she said.

She also raised concerns about access to meeting rooms and community spaces, saying groups had initially welcomed the facility but were becoming frustrated by restrictions on its use.

"It's actually now getting frustrating because it's only a drop in the ocean, really, and they're only available for use so little," she said.

"We talk about inclusion and accessibility. That is not an inclusive, accessible library in our community."

Cllr Carol Lennon also supported the proposal and said students had highlighted the difficulties caused by the current opening hours. Referring to conversations with local secondary school students, she said many had raised concerns about access to study space, particularly on Fridays and Saturdays when demand for desks and study rooms is high.

Support was also expressed for greater access to meeting rooms and community spaces within the facility.

The motion was agreed by members.

- Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.