by Alan Jacques
LIMERICK City North Anti Austerity Alliance councillor Cian Prendiville has expressed his disappointment at the local authority’s plans to close the part-time library in Caherdavin.
Located in a small single room at second floor level in Caherdavin Community Centre, the Council has deemed the premises not-fit-for-purpose, citing “limited space” as one of the challenges presented.
However, Cllr Prendiville is hopeful the library can be saved and has organised meetings with the community centre organisers and local activists on the issue.
“Caherdavin is a large community, with many people who are interested in library services. However, it is in need of investment to encourage more people to use it.
“For a long time, there has been a need for some computer facilities at the library but these were not provided. The community centre had also hoped to be able to instal a lift to encourage disabled members of the community to avail of the facility. They had urged the council to organise events and advertising to bring in school children and others to the library.
“But rather than doing this, they are now proposing to close it,” he said.
In a letter to local councillors this week, Damien Brady of the Council’s library services explained, “Due to limited space, it can only carry a very narrow range of stock. It has no space for IT services such as public internet.”
“It presents particular challenges in terms of public access. The only access point to the library centre is via a long steep stairs. There is no fire escape or emergency exit and it does not meet current Health and Safety Standards,” Mr Brady stated.
Councillors were also informed that the level of use of the library in Caherdavin by the public is extremely low and has continually declined to such an extent that there is now only a handful of readers.
“Watch House Cross Library, located one mile from Caherdavin has over 400 registered readers with Caherdavin addresses. The Granary Library, located two miles from Caherdavin has over 270 registered readers with Caherdavin addresses. Dooradoyle Library, located four miles from Caherdavin has over 110 registered readers with Caherdavin addresses,” Mr Brady pointed out.
The library is due to close on February 13.
