Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 November 2020
344. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her views on the provision of additional digital services through the library network as Ireland continues to live with Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27376/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Public Library Strategy “Our Public Libraries 2022” seeks to establish the library as an important enabler of digital services and facilitator of digital skills development. In addition to its 330 library branch network, the public library service provides an array of online and digital services
Online library services include access to over 48,000 eBooks, over 33,000 eAudiobooks, 4,000 eMagazines, 2,400 newspapers from over 100 countries and over 500 e-learning courses, all of which are free. When public libraries closed on March 12th, the usage of online library services soared to unprecedented levels. In response to this increased demand my Department provided funding of €400,000 to support the provision of additional eBooks and eAudiobooks. Indeed, the public library sector has already shown its flexibility by moving three of their annual programmes - Spring into Storytime, Summer Stars and Children's Book Festival - online at very short notice.
Last month I approved Dormant Accounts funding of over €600,000 to support the provision of library programmes for marginalised, socially excluded and disadvantaged communities. The majority of these programmes will be conducted online and this funding also included a significant investment in digital literacy and numeracy apps and licences which can be borrowed via the library.
In 2018, my Department approved funding of €6m for the upgrade of ICT capacity and facilities in public libraries. This funding was matched by local authorities to the value of €2m, giving a total investment of €8m, and was the first step in establishing the library as not only a community hub but also an important enabler of digital services.
