Government plans to increase use of libraries

The key focus of the plan is to develop every library in the country into a “multi-purpose education and social space” for its local community.

Rural Affairs Minister Heather Humphreys is pledging “unprecedented” capital investment under ‘The Library is the Place’ strategy.

The plan commits to trebling the number of ‘open library facilities, which provide access from 8am to 10pm every day of year, to over 90.

Ms Humphreys will also promise to “provide every library user in the country with access to a book club”.

Everyone with a library card will be contacted and given access to a book club that suits their age and interests. Meetings to discuss the books will be held in local libraries.

“‘The Library is the Place’ is about ensuring our libraries continue to adapt to the rapid changes taking places in society,” Ms Humphreys said.

“It’s about ensuring that they become multi-purpose social and educational spaces for people of all ages – from our toddlers right up to our senior citizens.

“This strategy sets out 66 concrete actions that we will deliver over the next five years.”

Meanwhile, Higher Education Minister Simon Harris will announce €1m in State support help adult literacy through cooking, boxing and comic books.

Funding is being given to 51 projects around the country which will help people who struggle to read and write.

This includes a family cookery and healthy eating literacy project for parents of school-going children.

Financial support will also go to courses for adults with Down Syndrome and other forms of neurodiversity and comic-making classes.

Mr Harris said accessing literacy supports can be very difficult. “There is often a stigma attached to not being able to read, write, or participate in the world online,” he said.

“What is really magic about these projects is they inject fun into learning those essential skills. That can mean learning to read or count through the joy of cooking, or boxing,” he added.