Wicklow County Council Library Service is one of 300+ libraries marking National Public Libraries Day 2024 this coming Saturday, 28th September.
National Public Libraries Open Day is an initiative to promote the role of public libraries in Irish society, raise awareness of the range of services they provide, and encourage people to become members.
Libraries across Wicklow will offer a lively array of activities, from a Knitter’s Exhibition to tutorials on using online resources, tours of the Archives and Local Studies sections, performances by Ukrainian Singers, Harp Meditations, Dungeons & Dragons sessions, and more.
Cathaoirleach for Wicklow County Council, Cllr. Paul O’Brien highlighted the evolving role of libraries saying, "Today’s libraries are vibrant, modern hubs offering technology, educational supports and events for the whole community. National Public Libraries Open Day provides a unique opportunity to promote library services and celebrate their role in Irish life.
To coincide with the Day, the Take a Closer Look campaign is encouraging people to take a look at the wide-ranging free services open to them through their libraries.
The most recent figures for library membership in County Wicklow indicate that 31,997 people are current library borrowers and during 2023, they borrowed 629,640 physical items. With free membership, this demonstrates the popularity of the service and the value for money offered.
Chief executive of Wicklow County Council, Emer O’Gorman emphasised the library’s wide-reaching impact: "Our libraries are at the heart of the community, offering critical support for literacy, lifelong learning, and inclusion. From book clubs to English conversation groups, digital resources, and connections with schools, the library plays a key role in supporting the Sustainable Development Goals by promoting education, equality, and access for all."
Director of Services for Wicklow County Council, Theresa O’Brien, said, “Wicklow’s public libraries have a proud and long-standing history of being integral within our villages and towns in supporting people on an individual and a collective, community basis. Libraries help people to go on literary and recreational journeys, to use their imagination and unwind. The broad-ranging events that they host interest people across communities and bring people together.”
Public libraries have considerably expanded the range of services on offer in recent years. Over 12 million items are available to borrow through libraries, including the latest bestsellers, eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines, CDs and DVDs, digital magazines, newspapers, online courses and online newspapers.
Libraries also offer access to computers, free WiFi, study spaces and information to support citizens’ access to services, supports and education. And the pick-up and drop-off option at any library is making services increasingly accessible. Through the reuse of books, hundreds of thousands of library members are practising environmental responsibility.