The Frank O’Connor library, in the Mayfield area of Cork city’s northside, has closed indefinitely owing to the failure of the building’s heating.
The library, which has also been beset by short-staffing issues in recent years, closed yesterday, with Cork City Council being able to offer very little notice given the nature of the issue.
Sinn Féin Cllr. Stephen Cunningham wrote yesterday online:
I just received information that the Frank O’Connor Library in Mayfield will be closed indefinitely from close of business today to carry out repairs. This is of much concern and I will be raising the issue with City Council management and the library services over the coming days.
Mayfield is an area that has long been deprived of the services and facilities needed to thrive. With no bank, very few services for the community and the ongoing staffing and investment issues with the library itself, I feel it is important that the funding required to carry out the repairs is provided immediately to ensure the library is re-opened as soon as possible.
I will post updates as I get them. In the mean time, it is my understanding the City Library on the Grand Parade will take book returns.
Libraries are the quiet manifestation of democracy in our communities.
Any one can go there and use them for free.
Closing a library is utterly shameful. Its a basic service and what LPT is supposed to fund.
Yes.
+1
Very well said.
+1
It’s at times like this that those Northern Banknotes would come in mighty helpful.
yes those vulture funds really need a nice Christmas gift from our obliging government..
The standard of our Local Authorities is abysmal. The man don’t give a fupp.
OK, this one may have closed due to problems with heating but librarians themselves are trying desperately to put themselves out of jobs. You know, like checkout operators.
For my generation – and in particular my social class – libraries were virtually our only access to knowledge of all descriptions. A poor working-class person could become at least an autodidact (as most of my family did) purely by reason of access to this wonderful resource. It appears that the interne – source of so much crap and false information – will now replace it. One step forward, two steps back?