Return Booking for Librarians

Clare People, Tuesday, 2nd October 2007

For the second year running the Library Association of Ireland has confirmed that it will hold its autumn conference in the county. City and County Librarians from around the country will gather for the event, entitled Developing Quality Services for Children and Young People, at the Old Ground Hotel, Ennis, on 4th and 5th October 2007.

The Mayor of Clare, Cllr. Patricia McCarthy, will officially open the Conference which will explore such issues as Internet safety for children and the future of the Irish language in public libraries. "The locating of this Conference in Ennis is a tribute to the fantastic work being undertaken by Clare County Library. The Library continues to expand and improve services across the County and is scheduled to open its new branch at Scariff later in the year", said Mayor McCarthy. "I am also delighted that the upcoming seminar will include a presentation to Clare County Librarian Noel Crowley, who retires at the end of 2007".

Among the speakers scheduled to address the event is Norah Gibbons, Director of Advocacy and Child Services with Barnardos, who will present Making Ireland The Best Place In The World To Be A Child. Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Librarian, Mr. Muiris O'Raghaill, will present a talk on what the future holds for the Irish language in the country's public libraries, while Paul Durant of the Internet Advisory Board will explore the issue of Internet safety from the provider's perspective.

Meanwhile, as part of the upcoming seminar, delegates will visit Kilfinaghty Public Library which is located in the old Church of Ireland building in Sixmilebridge. Frances O'Gorman, Executive Librarian, said, "The purpose of this visit will be to showcase some of the work that has been undertaken by Clare County Library in expanding its countywide services."

"The project of saving this church building started in 1996 when people came together on a voluntary basis and initiated the Church Conservation Project. Through the hard work of a dedicated local committee, the Clare Library Services and FÁS, the project at Kilfinaghty Church has became a reality and is today a busy branch of the Clare County Library network", added Ms. O'Gorman.

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