Major investment in Mayo library service is confirmed
Mayo Library Service is gearing itself up for a very busy few years with not one, but two new libraries earmarked for the county.
Minister of State Alan Dillon confirmed that a new library in Ballyhaunis is on the cards after funding of more than €5 million was granted under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) this week.
Plans for a new facility in Westport are at an advanced stage and the project will go out to tender later this year, with construction expected to start before the end of this year.
The Ballyhaunis project, under the umbrella of Ballyhaunis Community Vision, will see the derelict convent primary school building in the town redeveloped as a public library, enterprise hub and a public park, with pedestrian links to the main core of the town.
The current library, despite its small size and lack of study facilities, is the busiest single-staffed library in Mayo, and demand for its services continues to grow yearly.
Said County Librarian Austin Vaughan: “We are delighted to welcome the news this week of RRDF funding for a new library in Ballyhaunis. A brand-new library space with dedicated study areas, improved IT facilities, and a children’s area will be a huge addition to the town.
"The establishment of a new library there has been a major priority for Mayo County Council since 2010.
"And these two developments are the major capital items in our recently launched five year Mayo County Library Development Plan 2024 -2028 so it is great than funding has being achieved so early in the cycle.”
Joanne Grehan, Director of Services with Mayo County Council with responsibility for libraries, added: “Our Mayo library service is built on values of social and cultural inclusion, and real democracy at local level, supporting healthy and vibrant local communities.
"With the two new libraries planned for Westport and Ballyhaunis we look forward to improving on the range of great services we currently offer to people living, working, and studying in Mayo.”
The proposed new library in Ballyhaunis is at a high-profile site, at the centre of the town, clearly visible, with easy access from both the town and surrounding countryside.
It will be four times as big as the current branch, which is in keeping with the government guidelines for library sizes, based on population figures.
The site has large car parking space which will adequately serve the large number of users expected for the new service.
The proposed library will comprise a children’s and adult lending area, a reference library, a local history service, a music library, a computer learning centre, an exhibition space, a study room, and an area for children’s activities such as story hours and workshops. It will also include a digital maker space, and a sensory room.
The maker space will be a digital learning space which will help promote access to life-long learning, STEAM workshops and digital literacy. It will allow the public to use the latest technologies such as 3D printers, laser printers and virtual reality equipment.
There will also be space for children’s activities and an exhibition area in which work by local and national artists will be showcased.
Along with a considerably larger study area than in the current library there will be a flexible meeting space for public use.
Both of the new library buildings, in Westport and Ballyhaunis, will be part of the My Open Library initiative, which will see them staffed during regular opening hours and open for study and self-service after staffed hours, with opening from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. all year round.
The libraries in Swinford and Ballina are also earmarked as My Open Libraries and work is currently underway to get them ready for this service.