Each County and City Council is a Library Authority for the purposes of the Local Government Act, 2001, and may undertake a range of functions relating to the provision of library services. An Chomhairle Leabharlanna (ACL) provides appropriate advice and certain supports to local authorities in these regards. While my Department has developed the national policy framework for the public library service and provides capital and limited current funding support, I have no operational role in relation to the services offered by the library authorities.
Statistics on library usage nationally are compiled by ACL and are available on its website www.librarycouncil.ie . The Public Library Users Survey can be accessed on that website under Publications/ PLUS Survey. In addition, the Local Government Management Services Board compiles service indicators on local authority services, including library services. These indicators can be accessed on www.lgmsb.ie.