Libraries in Donegal are set to benefit from new funding for upgrade works and to adapt to COVID-19 distancing requirements.
A €2.8 million package was announced by the government this week to support Ireland’s 300 public libraries with innovative ideas and initiatives.
Joe McHugh, TD for Donegal said: “My colleague, the Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys, has confirmed to me that €2.8 million in government funding is being made available to upgrade and modernise libraries across the country.
“The Department of Rural and Community Development will provide €2.5 million to support a Small Scale Capital Works Programme for public libraries. The Department funding will be matched by local authorities to the value of approximately €280,000 giving a total investment of almost €2.8 million.”
Announcing the new Small Scale Capital Works Programme, Minister Humphreys said:
“One of the key actions of our public library strategy ‘Our Public Libraries – Inspiring, Connecting and Empowering Communities’, is to develop library buildings that are fit for purpose and reflect the quality of services on offer.”
Joe McHugh TD concluded, “The libraries of County Donegal will really benefit from this new funding to help them upgrade and modernise their facilities and technologies, and also to make the buildings more sustainable and energy efficient.
“They can also use the funding to adapt their premises to meet social distancing requirement and to provide additional remote working facilities. The funding could be used to provide technology / software to support contactless user services e.g. apps for borrowing, user e-services access management, booking management services etc.
“Libraries are an integral part of communities across Donegal and it was great that some libraries could stay open during the pandemic, keeping their services going in new and innovative ways. This government wants to ensure they are supported in continuing this service in upgraded facilities.”
