Give your views on the Library Service

Avid listeners during the recent Writers Open Mic night.

We're all aware of the services provided by the County Kildare Library Service, particularly in our lovely little Library in Kilcullen, writes Brian Byrne. Well, now's your chance to give a little feedback.

The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government has invited comments from interested parties on the draft Strategy for Public Libraries 2013–2017.

The draft Strategy is available here, and we should all read up on what's being proposed, because it affects all of us who use the service, and who might be encouraged to use it in the future.

Your editor will make a point of going through it during the next week, and the Diary will publish the essential details a little later.

In the meantime, here's a backgrounder to the current profile of the service nationally.

Public libraries provide a wide range of services both physical and virtual, including print and digital lending material, reader development advice, internet access and support, information and reference resources and guidance, learning and e-learning activities, literacy support, cultural promotion and community development.

There are 16.3 million visits made to public libraries each year.

There are 19.3 million books, audio books, CDs and DVDs borrowed from public libraries annually.

Some 41% of the books borrowed by adults are non-fiction books.

There are 1.9 million Internet sessions provided on 2,100 Internet access PCs and via free Wi-Fi.

There are 344 branch libraries and 32 mobile libraries.

Local Authorities spent €131.6 million on library services in 2011.

Local Authorities spent €9 million on stock in 2011, an average of €1.97 per capita.

Public libraries in Ireland are run by 32 separate library authorities.