Library Service Annual Report 2006
Introduction
- The Public Internet Service recorded a significant increase in use during 2006. Over 28,000 Internet sessions were reserved in Carlow, Muinebheag and Tullow Libraries.
- Upwards of 450 patrons requested Pin numbers in order to access the Library Online Catalogue.
- Carlow County Library contributed to the Student Zone of the www.askaboutireland.ie website.
Online Services
Online access to library services continued this year. The Library Online Catalogue can be accessed from home through the Carlow County Council Website allowing users to check items in stock and renew and request material when required. The development of a childrens’ Online Catalogue commenced in 2006 and it is hoped that it will be launched in the coming year.
The use of the PC Reservation Management system was extended to Muinebheag during the year. This enables maximum use of all public Internet PCs and provides a more streamlined and user-friendly service for staff and patrons alike.
Borrow books
www.borrowbooks.ie is an inter-library loan initiative of the Public Libraries of Ireland and An Chomhairle Leabharlanna. It enables library members to search Irish public library online catalogues to locate and request a book, CD or DVD not held in their local library. The user completes an online booking form and a request is sent to the local library to obtain this item. The item is then delivered to the local library for collection by the borrower. Carlow County Library has participated in this initiative in 2006 thereby providing a new and innovative service to all its members.
The Ordnance Survey Historic Map Viewer Service was launched in Carlow, Tullow and Muinebheag libraries in February, 2006. This service is a collaboration between the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and Ordnance Survey Ireland.
The search facility allows the researcher to find a specific townland or urban area in any county in Ireland. Maps available for viewing are the 6” colour (1834 – 1842), 6” black /white (1834 – 1842) and the 25” black/white (1834 – 1842) series. A print out can be obtained of the required area. This service is of particular interest to researchers in history and genealogy.
Student Zone: www.askaboutireland.ie
Over 4,000 words of narrative and over 30 appropriate images were submitted for the Primary Content module of the Student Zone of the www.askaboutireland.ie website. Carlow County Library availed of a sum of just under 2,000 Euro in Grant Aid from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government for this portion of the project.
Local Studies, Collections and Local Publications
The Local Studies Department served over 800 researchers who called in person during 2006. There is an important and growing trend for e-mail enquiries. Genealogy, Architecture, Archaeology and Map consultations are particularly popular. Newspapers on microfilm, particularly back issues of the “Nationalist” and “Carlow Sentinel” are in regular demand. The policy of acquiring all items of Local interest and National publications with a Carlow connection was continued during the year. The ephemeral collection of booklets, posters, fliers and other materials is an interesting and rapidly expanding aspect of the service. Items acquired are noted in the on-line Library Catalogue which is available on the web.
Notable Publications acquired in 2006 included “Carlow Granite:Years of History written in Stone” by Michael J. Conry and “River Slaney from Source to Sea” by John Duffy.
An important collection of over 800 books and journals from the former Research Library of Irish Sugar Ltd. was donated to the County Library in May 2006. The Collection is on display in the Local Studies Department of the County Library. The original glass fronted book cases formed part of the donation.
Exhibitions
A number of important exhibitions were held in Carlow Central Library and the George Bernard Shaw Room during 2006:
Photographs by Helena Doyle (Local Photographer) in April
Carlow Photographic Society Exhibition in June
Painting Library, an exhibition of work by Mairéad Ó hEocha in June
Carlow Museum and Carlow Historical and Archaeological Society Exhibition in August / September during Heritage Week.
Askea Parish Painters in December
Barrow Valley Group Painters in December.
New Initiatives:
Carlowise.
Work began in 2006 on Carlowise – an initiative of Carlow County Library to provide a content rich knowledge website.
Painting Library
June 2006 saw the introduction of an exciting new project in Carlow Central Library. In conjunction with established artist Mairéad Ó hEocha a Painting Library was launched during the Éigse Festival. A public lending scheme was started whereby four original artworks by Mairéad were made available for library members to borrow and appreciate in their own homes. It is hoped that this project will continue and expand in the coming year and that additional works by other artists will be acquired.
Training
Staff of the County Library participated in a number of important Training Programmes during 2006.
“Making Access Happen” Disability Training was facilitated by Ms. Maureen Gilbert of the National Disability Agency , on September 25th in the Seven Oaks Hotel. All Library staff took part in this challenging but very practical workshop on Disability issues and the Library. A further Seminar was arranged for January, 2007.
O.S.I.Training: Mr. Kevin Brady of Ordnance Survey Ireland provided training on the O.S.I. Online Historical Mapping Service for all Central Library staff in November, 2006.
Staff members also attended Training Programmes in Disability issues, Child Protection and Security Awreness , organised by Carlow County Council during the year.
Carlow County Library and the Media
In 2006, Carlow County Library received upwards of 200 citations in the “Nationalist” and “Carlow People”. Events were also frequently featured in the “Irish Times” “What’s On” column during the summer months. Members of the County Library staff were also interviewed about Library Developments and Events on KCLR – Kilkenny-Carlow Local Radio on “Off the Record” with Sue Nunn, “Tobar an Cheantair” wuith Alan Swan and on “Down Your Way” with Carmel Brennan. Library Events also featured frequently on “Community Diary”.
Childrens’ Services:
Science week, 2006
A number of workshops were held for school children during Science Week in November, 2006
- The “Bright Sparks” workshop on electricity, presented by Christine Campbell of “Anyone for Science”
- The “Space Encounters” Astronomy workshop, facilitated by Dr. Ed Barnett explained the wonders of the universe and space travel to over 160 pupils from local schools.
Class visits
Over 2,000 school students participated in class visits to Carlow Central Library during 2006. The following schools were represented: St. Leo’s College, St. Mary’s Academy, Bishop Foley School, Scoil Muire Gan Smál, St. Laserian’s School, Gaelscoil Eoghain Ui Thuairisc, St. Fiacc’s N.S., Holy Family Girls’ School, Askea, St. Joseph’s N.S. and Bennekerry N.S.
School classes from Scoil Muire Lourdes and St. Patrick’s Boys’ NS. visited Tullow Library.
A total of 75 class visits were arranged by the staff of Muinebheag Library for children from St, Brigid’s School and St. Mary’s School
Kidzone
The Kidzone Programme continued in Carlow Central Library during 2006. Almost 2,500 children took part in a wide variety of events. Highlights were events marking Seachtain na Gaeilge and “World Book Day” in March.
Over 200 children visited Carlow Central Library as part of their Summer Camp Programme. Camps included Carlow Youth Services Camp, Tullow Road Camp, Gaelcamp and Ballon Summer Camp.
Over 800 entries were received for the “Design a Bookmark” Competition in conjunction with National Childrens’ Book Festival in October.
Over 550 children took part in the Christmas Crafts Programme for Primary Schools in November and December.
Other highlights for 2006 included author visits from Aubrey Flegg and David Donohue.
General Knowledge Quiz
Chuir Foireann na Lár Leabharlanna Tráth na gCeist ar siúl do dhaltaí as Ghaelcholáiste Chill Chainnigh I rith Seachtain na Gaeilge , I Mí na Márta.
A General Knowledge Quiz was also held in March for second level students when teams from Presentation College and Knockbeg College took part. The standard was very high as was later evidenced when Knockbeg went on to take the top National prize in the Thomas Crosbie Holdings “Examiner” Quiz.
Tullow Library
Over 1,200 children took part in class visits and events in Tullow Library during 2006. Author visits from Aubrey Flegg and Cherry Brandon were particularly well received by the young audiences.
Muinebheag Library
Staff at Muinebheag Library brought the year to a successful close with a Christmas Card competition which attracted many entries from school children in their catchment area.
Under the Access for All Programme new library shelving was installed in the Library in November.
Carlow County Library Service Indicators
L: Library Services
L.1 Public opening hours:
- average number of opening hours per week for full-time libraries
40.4 hours per week
- average number of opening hours per week for part-time libraries (where applicable)
23.8 hours per week
L.2 Number of registered library members as a percentage of the local population
17.1%
L.3 Number of items issued per head of population (county/city wide) for:
- Books 3.35 per head of population
- Other items 0.28 per head of population