By Dan Walsh
Wexford County Council Library Service benefits from €4 million under new Department of Rural and Community Development Libraries Capital Programme Investment.
The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, said; “County Wexford will stand to benefit from the Libraries Capital Programme with funding of €1.7 million towards an extension and refurbishment of New Ross Library and a contribution of €262,500 toward a new mobile library vehicle. The match funding to complete these projects will be provided by Wexford County Council through the Councils Economic and Community Capital Investment Programme and will bring the total investment to over €4 million.”
Interim Chief Executive of Wexford County Council Eddie Taaffe said; “This funding is recognition of the important contribution that libraries make to local communities here in County Wexford. Our libraries are a valued and trusted civic space, providing free and universal access to information and literacy. They provide opportunities for life-long learning through their wide-ranging programme of events, services, up-to-date book stock and e-Resources.”
Mr Taaffe told WexfordLocal.com that “the new mobile library will replace the existing 24-year-old vehicle that services North County Wexford,” and he added; “In a rural county such as Wexford, mobile library services are an essential way of expanding the reach of the library service into our rural communities. They help combat loneliness and social isolation faced by our older citizens as well as providing an essential literacy service to our rural schools.”
Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr. John Fleming welcomed the news and stated; “This funding will make a big difference to the lives of existing library users throughout the county.”
Cathaoirleach of New Ross Municipal District, Cllr. Anthony Connick was equally positive about the news, stating; “The team in New Ross Library deliver a fantastic service to the people of New Ross. The community and visitors to the town of New Ross will enjoy a warm, welcoming and bright space that will increase the quality of life for all who visit”.
The new mobile library will allow for many of the new literacy promotion initiatives that are being provided by the library service to be made available to pre-schools and primary schools around the county”.
The existing New Ross Library was opened in 1982 as a purpose-built library. The refurbishment and extension of the existing Library will almost double the existing space.
The existing library opens for 43 staffed hours per week but there is an ambition to increase this significantly when the new library opens. The total project cost will be in the region of €3.4 million.
WexfordLocal.com 