Public consultation on new Library Strategy
Published on 8th June 2022
A new strategy to shape our public library service is being developed and Libraries Ireland want to hear your views and ideas on public library services.
The closing date for submissions is midnight on 9 July, 2022.
Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has today launched a public consultation on the development of a new strategy for the public library service.
A new public library strategy for Ireland is being developed to meet a range of new challenges and emerging opportunities. The new strategy will help to shape our public library service for the next five years. We want to hear everybody’s feedback on how library services can be improved in terms of access, use and visibility of the public library.
You can complete the survey online at www.librariesIreland.ie or alternatively, visit your local library to complete it in person.
- Public Consultation Form (pdf, 114kb, printable version)
- Foirm chomhairliúcháin phoiblí (pdf, 105kb)
The consultation will assist the development of a new Public Library Strategy which will be published next year.
The new strategy will be the successor to ‘Our Public Libraries 2022 – Inspiring, Connecting and Empowering Communities’ which has overseen much progress in the public library service in Ireland over the past five years. The new strategy will be equally ambitious in continuing to grow the library service.
Speaking about the importance of engaging with this consultation, Minister Humphreys said:
“Our public libraries play a vital role in the community – providing a safe and welcome educational space for people of all ages. They are also a place for us to visit, to relax, to take a breath and to delve into the wonderful world of story-telling.
“This particular strategy builds on the significant process that have been made under previous strategies and will bring our libraries onto the next stage of their development.
“The public library service belongs to you, our citizens. And so, we want to hear from you.”
The Minister added:
“Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19, our libraries continued to provide vital services to people of all ages in communities across the country.
“I really want to pay tribute to the dedicated and hard-working library staff who are a credit to themselves and the communities in which they work.
“This consultation will give the public a wonderful opportunity to give their views on how we can continue to improve our library service – so that our citizens young and old can reap the benefits.”
Any questions on the consultation process can be emailed to [email protected]