Introduction

Carlow County Council Library Service is a network of four libraries where people of all ages gather to freely pursue knowledge, information and enjoyment of life. Libraries in Carlow provide a popular and heavily used service for everyone, allowing unbiased and unparalleled access to knowledge, information, creativity and culture. Carlow County Library Service experienced high demand for services again in 2017. Carlow County Library Service operates in the communities of Carlow Town, Borris, Tullow and Muinebheag. Opening hours for 2017 remained at 124 per week which include late nights and Saturday openings. The branch libraries are supported by the administrative functions of library headquarters from where the Local Studies and Genealogy service also operate. The Local Studies service is open to the public for 35 hours per week. A dedicated Genealogist is available by appointment two days a week, a partnership agreement with the Irish Family History Foundation.

Carlow Library Service works collaboratively with a range of local and national organisations which allows the library to promote itself as a valuable, accessible space actively engaging with the community. In 2017, the library service continued a collaborative approach to ensure the library is viewed as a social and versatile space for everyone.

The Library Collection

The Library Collection currently stands at over 170,000 items with 8,464 new items added in 2017. Annual regular investment ensures the collection is current and relevant to user needs. 185,490 items were issued in 2017 reflecting how well the collection is used by the people of Carlow.

Investment in specialised collections is of great benefit to many people allowing the service to target certain segments of the population and encouraging increased library usage. 2017 saw further investment in the Children’s collection to support the Right to Read programme and introduction of Healthy Ireland collections supported by Departmental funding. Purchase of Irish and locally published material continued throughout the year.

Facts and Figures

National Initiatives

Right to Read is a new programme for literacy support and development throughout Carlow Town and County. The Library Service is the lead agency, with the County Librarian and Programme Co-Ordinator working together on:

• Leading the programme and overseeing progress of the Literacy Action Plan in partnership with members of the Right to Read Local Network
• Delivering more systematic literacy support at local level
• Coordinating delivery of the programme
• Bringing together the knowledge and experience of skilled staff in Local Authority services and local agencies

The Right to Read Local Network was established in December 2017 and work commenced on formulation of the Action Plan. As the current focus is on children and families, relevant agencies are represented on this network with the aim of strengthening partnerships and ensuring provision of a structured plan for addressing literacy needs throughout the Local Authority area.

As the programme develops over the coming years the focus will change to incorporate other areas such as digital literacy, age-friendly, jobseekers etc. and the network membership will be reviewed to reflect this. Healthy Ireland at your Library is a nationwide initiative which seeks to encourage people to make positive choices to improve their physical and mental health, while also providing support and information to help people make more healthy choices.

Carlow Library Service is involved in the initiative with a focus on providing enhanced health information with all library branches having books, eBooks, audio and eMagazines on various issues such as healthy eating, positive ageing, childhood health and wellbeing.

The service was launched in Carlow Library by Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council William Patton who attended one of the Healthy Ireland Events “Find Your Voice Workshop” with Ann Moylan, Choral Director and Music Therapist. As well as being a valuable resource within the community for health information, there are free programme of events and talks running across the county library network in 2017 and 2018. Events that have already taken place include “Tips for a Happy Healthy Christmas” with Claire Healy, “Find your Voice Workshop” with Ann Moylan and “Be Well, Feel Well, Eat Well” with Evelyn Cronly, Nutrition and Exercise Practitioner.

Healthy Ireland at Your Library is being funded by the Department of Health through the Local Government Management Agency as part of their Healthy Ireland Framework for improved Health and Wellbeing 2013 – 2025. Carlow County Library has participated in the Work Matters programme since 2015. Now a national programme, all public libraries in Ireland offer business and employment support services.

The Work Matters Service includes:

• Free membership
• Direction and help with your research
• Business and employment books, journals, newspapers, reports, wirefeeds
• eBooks, eAudio and eMagazines
• PCs and Internet access
• Space for meetings, study and research
• Online learning and services with access to over 500 e-learning courses
• Printing, scanning and photocopying
• Workshops, presentations and networking opportunities
• Language learning

In 2017, Carlow was selected with two other counties to pilot the next stage of the programme involving collaboration and partnership with the local Citizens Information Services. A plan of action is in development for roll out in early 2018.

External Funding

• Funding towards Healthy Ireland at the Library was secured through the Libraries Development Unit, LGMA. This new initiative was rolled out in all Carlow libraries in late 2017 with grant aid available to support the Mind Matters collection and some event programming.
• Grant aid of 50% and to the value of €987.08 to support the introduction of RFID to Borris Library was drawn down in October.
• Funding to support the introduction of the new National Library Strategy in 2018 was secured through the Libraries Development Unit, LGMA in November. Total grant aid being provided for Carlow is €67,000 with matched funding of almost €17,000 coming from Carlow County Council.

The grant aid enabled:

• the introduction of RFID to Borris Library
• the installation of security gates in Carlow, Tullow and Borris Libraries
• the installation of self-service print/copy/scan facilities in Carlow, Tullow and Borris Libraries
• books to support the Right to Read programme
• iPad Pros to support the Work Matters programme

Events and Programming:

Involvement in National and County Event Programmes:

• National Engineer’s Week was held from the 4th-10th March and various events were held across the library branch network including The Engineer Show with Michael Moylan for primary school children in Carlow Central and Tullow Libraries attended by classes from Hacketstown, St. Columba’s and Bishop Foley National Schools.
• Tullow Library held a Storytelling Evening for kids narrated and performed by students from the Academy of Speech and Drama on Wednesday evening, March 9th.
• All Carlow library branches participated in the national story-time initiative, Spring into Storytime during the month of April. This initiative celebrated the importance of families reading together and sharing stories.
• Culture Night 2017 at Carlow Library was held on 22nd September 2017
• There was a Photography Exhibition by Jarlath Judge incorporating an Exhibition of Landscape, Built Heritage and Creative Digital Photography and this ran until the 28th September 2017
• Carlow Library Writers, under the guidance of Carlow Library Writer in Residence Mr. John McKenna, created prose and poetry about their favourite areas in County Carlow. In August, film maker John Loftus recorded and filmed their pieces at a variety of locations around the county. On Culture Night, the fruits of their labour hit the big screen at Carlow Library.
• Carlow Storytellers invited Carlow Little Theatre Society to join them for a night celebrating Carlow’s involvement in Art and Culture. Paying tribute to people such as Barry McKinley, the late Jim Nolan and others by performing samples of their work. The night also included an excerpt from the production “Sive”.
• As part of the Féile an Fhómhair Festival and in partnership with Glór Ceatharlach, Áine Ní Ghlinn held a Storytelling Workshop with three local Schools on October 6th.

Exhibitions held in the George Bernard Shaw Room during the year included:

January - A Sense of Freedom by Elwira Bernaciak
February - Growing up in Carlow by Jean Robertson and local children
March - The Hook Head Photographic Exhibition
April - The Whisperings of Nature by Caroline Cunningham
May - African Heritage by Olaniyan Oladimeji
June - The FORM collective of craftspeople & Art through the Eyes of Anxiety by Damien Tallon
July - Exhibition of pottery by Lá Nua participants
August - Exhibition of Old Carlow Photos by Dermot O’Brien
September - Exhibition of conceptual art Shapes of One by Amy Guilfoyle & a photography exhibition on Carlow’s Built and Natural Heritage by Jarlath Judge
October - Autumn Leaves by Caroline Cunningham
November - A My Invention and Believe in Science poster competition as part of the Eureka Science & Technology festival. The Red Apple Arts Christmas Show, an Exhibition by child and adult artists under the tutelage of Lorraine Fenton.
December - Designadelica’s Artisan Creations made from rare woods. Let it Snow, a Christmas needlework in felt Exhibition by Carmel Flahavan. Barrow Valley Group of artists held their annual exhibition from December 7-13. Damian Tallon returned with an exhibition of new work, Art as Therapy for the Soul.

Collaborative Events

• Carlow Mental Health Association held a drop-in clinic in the GB Shaw Room, Carlow Central Library every Thursday morning for the month of January.
• The Luck of Love, a reading by Carlow Library’s new writers mentored by Writer in Residence, John MacKenna was held in the Shaw Room on Valentine’s night, February 14th.
• Muinebheag Library collaborated with Graiguemanagh Library to deliver the “One Book, One Community” initiative during the months of February and March culminating in an interactive quiz in both libraries simultaneously on March 9th.
• On the 7th December, Carlow Library Writers’ under the guidance of Writer in Residence, John McKenna held “Songs for a Winter Night” which featured poems, prose and memoirs from Christmas past and present interwoven with songs for the season.
• Carlow Libraries collaborated with VISUAL on the Join in Festival which was held over the first weekend of April. Initiatives included: Pop up poetry around Carlow town provided by Writer in Residence, John MacKenna and his creative writing students, All Sorts Teen Creativity Camp with Dave Lordan held in Carlow Central Library on Saturday, April 1st and VISUAL on Sunday, April 2nd and A reading of work by the creative writing group in VISUAL on Saturday evening, April 1st.
• Collaborative events held in Carlow Central Library for Crinniú na Cásca as part of the Creative Ireland Programme 2017-2022 included Story-time for children, The Whisperings of Nature art exhibition by Caroline Cunningham and Old Carlow Photos Exhibition by Dermot O’Brien
• The library service participated in the Pan Celtic Festival during the third week of April, hosting a number of different events celebrating culture. These included: Storytelling with Fran O’Boyle, Deirdre O’Byrne, Aideen McBride and Sarah Myres, A Song and Story night with Carlow Storytellers and A talk on Irish dance and literature by Deirdre O’Byrne
• 'Come all ye boys and girls' - Aileen Lambert and The Pan Celtic Children’s Singing Project presented a short concert of traditional songs in Irish and English on Saturday, April 22nd. • A series of talks were held by Carlow Mental Health Association in Carlow Central Library over the month of April. These included: Getting to grips with Anxiety with Darren Reid, Psychotherapist, Positive Thinking with Brenda O’Brien, and Letting Go with Sylvia Shirley
• ‘The Seeds Were Well Planted’, a special edition DVD commissioned by Carlow Arts Office in collaboration with Carlow Library Service and produced by Michael Fortune, was launched in Ballymurphy National School on Friday June 23rd. The DVD containing sixteen traditional songs relating to this period in Irish history will be held for public access in all libraries and the Local Studies and Archives section.
• Mensana events during October in Carlow Central Library included: Food for Thought by Conor Saunders, Peace of Mind Moment by Moment by Jack Byrne and Coping with Technostress by Dr Tim Dunne
• From 13th to 18th November, Carlow’s first ever Science & Technology Festival, Eureka (www.eurekafestival.ie ) took place. The festival in it’s inaugural year was a collaboration between Carlow I.T., Carlow Library and Carlow Museum. Collaborative elements of the festival included: A “My Invention” and “Believe in Science” poster competition for schools which was on display in Carlow Central Library for the week with a prizegiving celebration held on Friday, 17th November 2017 attended by the Mayor Jim Deane.
• Engineering & Robotics Lego making workshop held at Carlow Library on Friday, 17th November and local schools were invited in to participate in same.
• As part of the Festival, Carlow Library put forward a team for the S.T.E.M. table quiz held in the Woodford Dolmen on Thursday, 16th November and attended the fabulous fireworks display at the end of the festival.

Film, Performance and Musical Events

• As part of the Carlow International Film Festival which took place over the first weekend in November, the Young Irish Film Makers facilitated a morning workshop with young people in Carlow Central Library. This was followed by the screening of a series of short films for the afternoon. Two feature films were shown that evening before a Q & A with the directors of one of the films screened, JFK the Badgeman Conspiracy.
• The annual Christmas Carols Concert by Tullow native, Regina Hanley and friends was held at Tullow Library on 13th December.
• A festive evening with the Carlow Storytellers was held on 20th December called “The Carlow Storytellers Christmas Rambling Night” where songs, stories and audience participation took place in Carlow Central Library.

Literary Events

• On Friday evening, March 3rd. Writer in Residence, John MacKenna’s new book of short stories, ‘Once We Sang Like Other Men’ was launched by Gypsy Ray in Carlow Central Library. Published by New Island Press, it is John’s eighteenth book and over 130 people attended the event.
• A Poetry Evening with the McHenry County College Heart Theatre Group & the Carlow Writers’ Co-op was held in Carlow Central Library on the evening of June 17th.
• On the evening of June 21st, a new book of short stories by author Martin Malone and published by Doire Press was launched by author and librarian Niamh Boyce.
• Caroline Busher held creative writing workshops for children in Carlow, Tullow and Bagenalstown Libraries during October as part of Children’s Book Festival. She is Reader in Residence at Wexford Libraries.
• On Wednesday, 22nd November, Carlow Central Library hosted a book launch “Prelude to the 1916 Rising in an Irish town – Carlow” by local historian Seamus Connellan.
• On Tuesday 28th November, Carlow Writers Co-operative read with special guests, Fr. Michael McCarthy, St. Patrick’s College Writer in Residence and author Mark Roper who launched his new collection “Bindweed” in Carlow Central Library.

 

Information Technology

Work on the new national Library Management System, Sierra was completed in February and all library branches went Live without issue on February 28th. The introduction of the Sierra system was the final step in a process which facilitated free membership for all, a change in the fines structure to €0.05 per item per day overdue, increased quota of items each member can borrow from 6 to 12 and the introduction of an inter-county lending system. Library members now have access, through a single shared online catalogue on www.librariesireland.ie. 18 million items can be requested and collected in a local branch in a timely manner.

Mr. Damien English, T.D. Minister for Housing and Urban Renewal launched ‘Libraries Ireland: makes every library your local library service’, in Navan Library on May 29th. Launching the scheme, the Minister said “the introduction of the service by public libraries across the country is an exciting and ground-breaking initiative, the first of its kind in the world. Every library in Ireland is effectively now your local library”.

Other developments in information technology:

• Subscription to a new online service, The Irish Newspapers Archives commenced in August. It is the world's largest online database of Irish Newspapers from which it is possible to search, retrieve and view Ireland's past in the exact format in which it was originally published. With many of Ireland's most prominent regional, daily and out of print titles, membership allows access to the most comprehensive and complete Irish newspaper archive available. The full database of The Nationalist and Leinster Times from 1883 to the present day is available through the site.
• Funding to support the new library strategy 2018-2022 enabled the purchase of new RFID machines and security gates. Borris Library will be RFID enabled in early 2018 bringing it in line with Carlow, Tullow and Muinebheag libraries. iPad Pros to support the Work Matters programme were also part funded and will be used to support hot desking facilities in all libraries during 2018. Total grant aid being provided for Carlow is €67,000 with matched funding of almost €17,000 coming from Carlow County Council.
• Mobile phone training for older people, in partnership with Vodafone Carlow, took place on one morning a month in Carlow Central Library.
• As part of the Digital Skills programme, computer classes were held in October/November in Carlow Central Library. This was a partnership initiative with St Catherine’s Community Centre.

County Archive, Local Studies and Genealogy

The Carlow Library Genealogy Service was very busy for 2017 welcoming a variety of clients. The service is heavily used with the online resources www.rootsireland.ie, Irish News Archives and Plotbox attracting a lot of interest. The aim of the Genealogy Service is to give clients a personal service and this need was met in 2017. People are happy to make an appointment to visit the genealogist, Bernie Walsh and there is particular interest in tracing family histories for those who emigrated from Ireland to Great Britain, USA, Canada, New Zealand and Australia as well as a great local interest in genealogical research.

Many hours of research resulted in a great success story when a client was reunited with a wedding coin which was presented to the son of Onah and William Stanley. Every person who visits the genealogy service has a story, and our aim is to help them tell that to future generations.

This year Heritage Week was coordinated by Carlow County Library Service. The Library Service held the following events:

• A Photographic Exhibition featuring Old Carlow Photos which was collected and compiled from various local sources by Dermot O’Brien and featured in the books Old Carlow Photos I & II
• A Growing Up in Carlow Exhibition held in the Local Studies Department. Jean Butler, Local Artist held an illustration workshop for children in February and with the help of Carlow Library Writer In Residence, John MacKenna, these children produced books complete with beautiful illustrations of their stories.
• On the 19th August, Bernie Walsh, Genealogist was interviewed on KCLR Radio by Edward Hayden promoting Heritage Week and the Genealogy Service provided by Carlow Local Studies Department
• On the 19th August, Richie Kavanagh launched his CD of Carlow Songs in Carlow Library
• On the 22nd August, a Tracing Your Family Tree workshop was held in Carlow Library by Bernie Walsh, Genealogist demonstrating free resources available on the internet
• On 22nd August, a guided historical walk with Myles Kavanagh took place from Bagenalstown Library
• On 23rd August, Michael Moylan, Heritage Specialist with www.irishhistorylive.com performed a show in both Carlow and Bagenalstown Libraries. This show called “Ancient Ireland” covered the Stone and Bronze Ages using costumes and artefacts
• On 23rd August, a talk called County Carlow’s Rich Heritage was given in the Shaw Room by Michael Conry, local author.

The Local Studies Department acquired many local publications of interest in 2017. In addition, 101 receipts from Carlow Jail dated 1877 were purchased at auction. All the receipts are signed by recipients, many with Inland Revenue stamp for payment of wages to Governor, Matron, Deputy Matron, Hospital Nurse, Head Warder, Turnkey, Messenger/Servant, Police for escort duty.

 

Our People

Staff changes

• Sandra Turner, Executive Librarian commenced work with Carlow County Library Service on January 6th, 2017 and finished on 21st July 2017 to take up a position with Kildare County Libraries.
• Patricia Nolan, Executive Librarian commenced work with Carlow County Library Service on July 17th, 2017.
• Jonathan Dunne, Library Assistant finished with Carlow County Library Service in April 2017 to take up a position with Carlow County Council and Christopher Power, Library Assistant commenced work on May 5th, 2017.
• Kevin Berney commenced employment with the library service on June 17th, 2017.

Staff training: