Kildare County Council Unveils Ambitious Library Plan for 2025-2029

Strategic Insights -

The Kildare County Council has officially launched the Building for Tomorrow - Kildare Library Service Plan 2025-2029, a five-year roadmap for the future of library services in the county. The plan positions Kildare's libraries as inclusive, innovative, and sustainable community hubs, reflecting the evolving needs of the county's growing and diverse population. Developed through extensive public consultation, the plan outlines seven key development areas, including community engagement, digital innovation, and sustainability. The launch event was officiated by Councillor Kevin Duffy and County Librarian Gillian Allen, highlighting the community-driven nature of the plan.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Building for Tomorrow plan is a visionary roadmap for the future of library services in Kildare, positioning them as inclusive, innovative, and sustainable community hubs.
  • The plan was developed through extensive public consultation and guides by national strategies such as The Library is the Place (2023).
  • Seven key development areas outlined in the plan include Enlivening Content, Reaching out to new communities, Stories and Placemaking, Real Place / Digital World, Enabling the Team, Capital Developments, and Sustaining Our Planet.
  • The plan celebrates recent achievements, including the opening of the award-winning Naas Library & Cultural Centre in 2024, and outlines future projects such as the redevelopment of Celbridge Library and a new mobile library powered by sustainable energy.
  • Gillian Allen, County Librarian, highlighted the community-driven nature of the plan, stating it is about making libraries places where everyone feels welcome, valued, and inspired.
  • Sonya Kavanagh, Chief Executive, Kildare County Council, stated the plan is a testament to the power of listening and collaboration, reflecting the council's commitment to building inclusive, empowered, and sustainable communities through libraries.
  • The plan will guide the development of Kildare's libraries, with a focus on improving access, visibility, and quality of services, and enhancing the role of libraries as essential community services.

Statistics:

  • The plan outlines seven key development areas for the future of library services in Kildare.
  • Public consultation was a key component of the plan's development, ensuring it reflects the evolving needs of the county's growing and diverse population.
  • The plan will guide the development of Kildare's libraries until 2029.
  • The new Building for Tomorrow plan aims to improve access and visibility of library services in Kildare.
  • The plan highlights the importance of digital innovation, with enhanced library eServices and green spaces as one of the key development areas.

Sources:

  • Kildare County Council
  • The Library is the Place (2023)
  • Naas Library & Cultural Centre
  • Celbridge Library
  • Kildare County Council's website
  • Sonya Kavanagh, Chief Executive, Kildare County Council
  • Gillian Allen, County Librarian, Kildare County Council
  • Councillor Kevin Duffy, Cathaoirleach of County Kildare