€8 Million Investment in Library Service

Minister Ring has approved a major investment package for digital services and facilities in public libraries. The almost €8 million investment comprises of approximately €6 million from Minister Ring’s Department and a further €2 million contribution from Local Authorities.

Fingal County Libraries will receive €476,000 from the Department, which was the second highest grant awarded to a local authority by the Department. The remaining €235,000 will come from Fingal County Council itself.

This investment will enhance ICT infrastructure, create new meeting spaces with state of the art technology and provide dedicated digital learning suites. The new facilities and services will attract new users of all ages to our public libraries. This funding will transform our public library service across the country, benefitting 309 libraries, 10 of which are in Fingal,.
The funding includes the provision of:

• iPads/tablets/smart devices for users and for staff to assist users

• Computers and workstations including image deployment technology

• Software to support design, gaming and coding

• Meeting space technology

• Podcasting equipment and workstations

• “Dementia Tables” which facilitate play and learning for people with mild to severe dementia as well as those with intellectual disabilities, learning difficulties and autism

• Mobile LCD screens with audio

• Interactive whiteboards

• Digital training suites

The funding is provided as part of the new national public library strategy Our Public Libraries 2022– Inspiring, Connecting and Empowering Communities.

The Development Plan highlights the future of Fingal Libraries as a dynamic and inclusive space that supports and values culture, recreation, literacy, education and economic development. Over a million visits were made to public libraries in Fingal during 2017.

Welcoming the funding, Fingal County Council Chief Executive Paul Reid said: “This is a significant investment by Minister Ring’s Department which will result in enhanced library spaces and services for the public. The Council’s contribution to the funding demonstrates our commitment to and belief in public libraries as centres of learning and engagement in the community.”

County Librarian Betty Boardman, said: “This funding has come at a very good time for Fingal Libraries as it will assist us in achieving two of the main objectives in our Development Plan published earlier this year – to continue to provide high quality, welcoming, accessible spaces which meet the needs of library users and to reinforce the position of libraries in the community as key points of access to information technology and digital services.”





The Plan identifies seven key objectives: Workforce, Capital and Infrastructure, Collections and Resources, Programming of events and Activities, Technology, Marketing and Communications and Collaboration and Partnerships.