1,500 less books borrowed in Letirim this year

It was revealed that 1,500 less books have been borrowed in Mohill and Carrick-on-Shannon from the start of the year to 1 May 2024 compared to the same period last year by council staff .

The figures were revealed during a meeting on Monday, when Cllr Maeve Reynolds noted that library opening hours in Carrick-on-Shannon and Mohill have been reduced due to staff shortages, limiting access for users and preventing community groups from meeting and asked steps the council is taking to recruit staff and restore full service as soon as possible. 

She said there was a "massive knock on effect for several community groups and it raises a wider issue in the area that there is a lack of community space for groups to meet and book club and writers' club and several other community groups that use the library as a meeting facility can't use it anymore because of the cut in hours."

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She thanked the staff for "providing such excellent service under strained circumstances". 

Leitrim County Council responded that it "acknowledged the concerns regarding reduced library opening hours in Carrick and Mohill and have undertaken several recruitment campaigns to address this issue with limited success. Our current recruitment campaign which is ongoing will hopefully result in the establishment of panels which will stabilise the resourcing of the library service."

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Cllr Reynolds acknowledged the response but said that it's been nearly a year since the librarian left Mohill library. 

She added: "I think we need to start looking at something broader or getting administrative help for them to get the libraries back open to the previous opening hours."

Cllr Enda Stenson and Cllr Sean McGowan supported the motion.  

Emma Donohoe, District Engineer, said the council have "recently managed to secure something on a temporary basis that should have an effect so we're actively working to address the resourcing challenges."