Library Submission for Council Annual Report 2013
Prepared by J. Brady Co. Librarian. Word count
Library Service
2013 - A busy year for Cavan’s Public Library Services
The economic climate has contributed to the continued high levels of demand and usage of Cavan County Council’s Library Service. During 2013 close to 5,400 people every week visited their local Cavan library. Online visitors grew by a phenomenal 53%. Staff continued to develop library event programming and managed to deliver 1,270 events – a growth of nearly 10%. A majorfocus for us this year was on contributing to the national Public Library Strategy developed during 2013 and launched in December. Major advances were delivered locally over the year, which were especially significant given the reality of cutbacks in both staffing and other resources.
Information Technology
In January, we led the way nationally by rolling out eRegistration. By year’s end, manual membership procedures were eliminated at Ballyconnell, Cootehill, Bailieborough and Johnston Central Library. eRegistration was followed by Online and Web registration and SMS texting. Free Wi Fi continued to draw library visitors, and usage increased by 21% during 2013. Ballyconnell Library was automated early in the year. Our plans to digitize Local Studies materials progressed well. Close to 300 books and photographs had been digitized and an interactive Image Gallery developed, which will be launched in 2014.
There’s no denying it, building, maintaining and developing our “virtual” library is a must in this digital age and requires significant work. Our aim is to make our “virtual” library a place that people want to visit and return to regularly and this was certainly achieved during 2013. We grew our local, national, and indeed international reach, as reflected in our Web and Social Media statistics. We were proud to be one of the top performing Council Web and Social Media services this year.
Library Infrastructure
Progress on the new library for Belturbet was evident throughout the year and design and construction was nearing completion by December. Major renovations were carried out at Ballyjamesduff library and, when it re-opened for business in November, increased usage levels reminded us that even the smallest part-time local library is hugely valued by its users. Cootehill Library also got a boost in 2013, with an upgrade of its Book Security system.
Quality library services
During 2013, key advances were made in delivery of quality library services.
In late 2012, Cavan County Council’s Library Staff Team had a fantastic and original idea based on a simple premise: “Great books have the power to change everything!” If we could bring people together and get them thinking and talking about difference, through well chosen great reads, the end result could involve more equality, tolerance and understanding in our communities. Our “100 Books with a Difference” Reading Initiativewas born out of this idea, funding was secured through Peace III, and the project was launched on Culture Night, September 2013.We published our Reading Guide and established a strong Web and Blog presence. The national response was very positive and PR materials and information were distributed to national and local equality organisations. Every Local Authority Public Library nationally and Libraries in Northern Ireland received promotional material. Introductory talks were given at national library conferences in autumn 2013. The project was promoted at the Kildare Readers Festival and, by year’s end, plans were in place to further develop and promote our “100 Books” during 2014.
The I.F.I. funded “Dialogues through Literature” Reading Initiative drew to a close in July 2013 at a Reader’s symposium in Ballinamore. Cavan Library Reading Groups participated in this final event, which wrapped up a productive, two year initiative. Cavan Library Service plan to maintain the cross border links forged with both English and Irish Language Reading Groups from across counties Leitrim, Fermanagh and Tyrone during 2014.
Our Local Studies Service is the single most important resource for the study of the history, archaeology, literature and culture of Cavan. During 2013, rare and valuable additions to our Local Studies Collection were acquired. Our most exciting purchases in 2013 included the Bellamont Estate rental for the half year beginning May 1782 and ending November 1782; The legal documentation and seal appointing Thomas Carson, Dean of Kilmore, in 1860; and Correspondence relating to Rev William Bradfield, who was Church of Ireland Rector in Munterconnaught in the 1930s. Local studies lectures, book launches and exhibitions proved as popular as ever. The launch of “’29 Main Street: Living with Partition” by Dermot McMonagle in April; an inspiring talk on the life and work of Cootehill native Mary Anne Sadlier in August; and the Heritage Walking Tour of Cootehill by Hugh O’Brien were three ofmany 2013 highlights.
Library staff delivered an interesting programme for The Gathering 2013 in Cavan. Our Gathering Postcards Initiative was launched at the February Council meeting. 3,000 postcards celebrating Cavan – past and present – were produced, with images from the Local Studies Photographic Collection. The postcards were distributed to Cavan people living abroad to encourage them to return to Cavan during the Gathering year. The Gathering conference “Crossing Borders” organised by Cavan Library Staff in conjunction with Cavan Genealogy and funded by Peace III, was a sell out. A major exhibition exploring aspects of nineteenth century Cavan emigrationand entitled “Breaking and Laveing the countery” proved a major draw at both Johnston Central and then Bailieborough libraries in the Autumn.
Library Reading Groups flourished and we had our highest ever attendance levels during 2013. Staff and readers came together in 2013 to produce a fantastic Summer Reading List - one for adults and one for children. This, our ninth Summer Reading List, has proved a major success, with demand growing yearly for both the list and the books recommended.
Our monthly library newsletter “The Bookmark” highlighted the variety of library programming throughout the year and covered major festivals including Seachtain na Gaeilge, World Book Day, Culture Night, Bealtaine, Library Ireland Week, Heritage Week and Children’s Book Festival. A diverse range of speakers, writers and storytellers welcomed to Cavan in 2013 included Michael Harding, Catherine Dunne, Bernard MacLaverty, Willie Drennan, Niall de Burca, Oisin McGann, Eamon Dunphy and Oisin McConville.
The wide range of regular ongoing events, many organised for and in partnership with community groups and public agencies, continued in 2013. If we have to pick just one to highlight, it must be Cootehill Library Craft Group,whoworked hard for months on designing and creating a special craft work entitled “Through the Ages” for permanent display at Cootehill Library. Unveiled in December, it was created under the guidance of artist Millie Cullivan, with the support of Culture Cavan and proved inspiring and empowering for all involved.
2013 Library Events Programme highlights:
Library Events Programme: Full-time Libraries / 2013Lectures / 10
Exhibitions / 15
Writer & Storyteller Visits / 18
Storytelling Sessions: Library Staff / 41
Book Displays & Book Launches / 78
Music, Dance, Drama, Workshops / 82
Class Visits: Pre Schools / 2
Class Visits: Primary / 394
Class Visits: Secondary & Other Educational Groups / 9
Community Group Meetings & Events / 177
Meetings: Reading Group / Irish Language/ Craft Group/ Mother and Toddler Group / 145
Events: Cavan County Council (Other Sections) AND Outside State Agencies / 253
Outreach Work / 46
Total / 1270
Performance Indicators / 2012 / 2013 / % Change
Visitor Levels: All Libraries (Estimate) / 307,658 / 268,974 / - 12.6 %
Visitor Levels: Full Time Libraries only (Actual) / 273,150 / 238,250 / - 12.8 %
Website: Page Views / 91,474 / 130,168 / + 42.3 %
Website: Visits / 32,203 / 49,426 / + 53.5 %
Actual Opening Hours / 9,541.75 / 9,470.40 / - 0.7 %
Membership / 12,279 / 11,234 / -8.5%
Internet Public Access / 29,547.00 / 30,980.50 / + 4.8 %
Average Opening Hours:
Full Time Libraries / 40.47 / 40.51 / + 0.1%
Average Opening Hours:
Part Time Libraries / 10.35 / 10.10 / - 2.4%
Stock Borrowed / 186,676 / 169,465 / - 9.2 %
Adopted Budget / € 1,528,159 / € 1,499,194 / - 1.9 %
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