Moves on Post Office Field Library

Clare People, Tuesday, 6th November 2007

Fresh hope has been given to plans to develop a three-story 45,000-sq ft Library building and Arts Centre in the centre of Ennis. The Government has informed Clare County Library that it could now proceed with appointing a project design team.

Making the announcement, Minister of State Tony Killeen T.D., who was recently assigned responsibility for library matters within the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, described the proposed development as an exciting project for the library service in Clare.

The proposed state of the art development in the Ennis Post Office field will incorporate a new Public Library, Headquarters, Local Studies Centre, performance arena, community meeting facilities and a range of ancillary exhibition areas for Clare County Library and the Clare Arts Office.

"The Department recently received inquiries concerning the proposed new library development in Ennis and, in particular, the question of the library authority putting together a design team to work on the project. Since I have been assigned responsibility for library matters within the Department, I have sought immediate clarification on this matter and obtained an update on this particular project," said Minister Killeen. Minister Killeen said he intended announcing a new public library programme in the next few months in association with 'Branching Out – Future Directions', the Government's vision statement for the Irish Public Library Service in 2012.

In a letter to Mr. Noel Crowley, Clare County Librarian, the Minister said, "I look forward to the new Ennis library project proceeding without delay and offering an enhanced service to the people of the town and its environs in the near future. You will appreciate, however, that formal sanction from the Department will depend on the project meeting with the usual statutory and other requirements in respect of tendering, value for money and technical suitability."

Mr. Noel Crowley described the latest development as a huge step forward in progressing a major cultural project for Ennis and County Clare. He explained, "The approval for the setting up of a design team moves the whole project on to a new level. The Library service is very excited about the prospects of enhancing and continuing Clare’s leading role in promoting the public library movement."

"The Library Service also welcomes the announcement that Tony Killeen has recently been assigned responsibility for library matters within the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government".

<< Library Newscuttings