Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Public Library Strategy 2013-2017, entitled Opportunities for All, highlights the importance of library services and sets out the way forward for their continued delivery. Its recommendations include a review of the library service organisation and delivery in order to establish more effective and efficient public libraries in the context of local government reform and shared services.

A strategic working group was established by the libraries development committee of the Local Government Management Agency to facilitate the review and identified the need to create an appropriate scale to deliver a modern library service. Overall, the strategic working group's review found that in order for the public library service to be in a position to maximise service delivery opportunities and achieve best outcomes in terms of effectiveness, efficiency and customer service, the current structures of organisations, workforce and service delivery are in need of some reform.

The review also determined that efficiencies could be achieved through a shared services approach to the delivery of library services in line with other existing and newly-formed shared service models in local government. In order to achieve this the working group determined the following: some new shared services structures should be established for library authorities; a proposed minimum population target of 100,000 would be an appropriate basis for determining a library shared services structure which would be in line with the Local Government Efficiency Review Report 2010; and shared services structures for affiliated cities and counties should also be established to deliver a single management structure with consequent resource efficiencies; that in order to implement the proposed minimum population standards six new shared service structures would be required, creating a total of 22 library services; and all authorities with populations under 100,000 should be realigned to provide new structures serving a population in excess of 100,000. The latter applies to Sligo, Roscommon and Leitrim.

The working group is continuing its deliberations and is in the process of consulting with all stakeholders. No decisions have been made on the new structures or mechanisms for new reorganised library services. However, these will be based on change management best practice and minimising disruption to staff having regard to logistics and national policy agreements. The working group is also recommending that the library service will continue to maintain local branding. The overall objective of the reorganised services is to enhance further the excellent service that the library service provides to the public and to provide the scale to enable more opportunities for growth and development.

Efficiencies are being pursued in the management of library services. I can confirm that there will be no diminution of the services provided. The Opportunities for All strategy identified the good work being done by all those involved, including the staff, in the library service despite challenges and difficulties and identified that an excellent community service is being delivered on the ground.