Over half a million books borrowed from Mayo libraries last year
The ongoing success of the Mayo library service has been reflected by the fact half a million books were borrowed throughout the county last year while there are currently 28,000 members registered.
There are branches located in Ballina, Ballyhaunis, Belmullet, Castlebar, Charlestown, Crossmolina, Claremorris, Killala, Kiltimagh, Louisburgh, Swinford, Westport, Ballinrobe and Achill.
They offer a wide range of services, which includes the lending of blood pressure monitors in some branches through Croí Third Age Mayo.
Speaking at a Mayo County Council strategic policy committee on corporate planning and development meeting, county librarian Austin Vaughan stated: “Most of our business is in Castlebar and Ballina, as you would expect in big population centres, and this is followed by Claremorris and Westport libraries.
"There are over 2,000 children currently taking part in our Summer Stars programme and they are rewarded for reading and get stamps and books at the end of the programme.
“We have sensory facilities in four of our libraries, Ballina, Castlebar, Belmullet and Swinford.”
Work will commence soon on a new library in Ballyhaunis situated on the former convent and primary school buildings on Abbey Street.
Mr. Vaughan also said that there are plans to extend the library in Belmullet and he praised the My Open Library initiative in Swinford as part of Mayo County Library’s extended opening service.
He explained: “The library is open in Swinford from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. 365 days of the year, and while it may not be staffed for all of that time, people can enter the library by using a card to gain access.
“Work is also ongoing on the new library in Westport and that will be a fantastic facility when it is completed, and it will be as big as the libraries in Castlebar or Westport.”
Councillor Cyril Burke had high praise for the library service.
He said: “I thank Austin Vaughan for his 30 years of dedication and commitment to the library service, as well as his team. We have a really modern service and the numbers joining their local libraries are going in the right direction.
“I am surprised and happy to hear the numbers of people both visiting and availing of the services that their local library provide.”
Councillor Donna Sheridan made an appeal to bring back the mobile library service which proved invaluable to rural communities over the years.
“It would be lovely to have that service back again if that was a possibility or if it is something that we as councillors could look into.”
In response, Mr. Vaughan stated: “We stopped the mobile library service during the recession, and it is not just about bringing back the mobile library, it also means bringing back the extra staff.
"You would need at last one person driving the mobile library and then one or two staff as well and that could be expensive. I know that there could be a case for them in a rural county, but that would be a strategic decision.”
Councillor Richard Finn highlighted the need for improvement of facilities at Claremorris.
He said that the facility does not have ample study areas and is also lacking in public toilet facilities as well as proper wheelchair access.
Councillor Finn wants these issues to be at the forefront of the Mayo County Library Development Plan.
Councillor Michael Burke brought up the question of funding being made available for some upgrading works at Ballinrobe Library.
He said: “We have a lovely library in Ballinrobe and it also acts as a cinema with films being shown in it on occasions while concerts of a small nature take place there. The structure of the building has been pretty well maintained, but it could do with some upgrading.
“It is a very special building in Ballinrobe and means a lot to the local community.”
Mr. Vaughan said: "The thing that both of the Claremorris and Ballinrobe buildings have in common is that they are former churches and you are limited in what you can do. There are also graveyards beside them."