Author:
Liz Macdonald
Year: 2012

What Next For Public Libraries in Ireland?

  This factsheet provides a summary of Irish data on attitudes to and use of public library services. The research shows that people in the Republic of Ireland still love libraries, with over three-quarters (79%) believing that they are either very important or essential to their community. There is however a gap between the value placed on libraries and levels of use: just over half (51%) had used a library at least once in the last year. The data was collected  by Ipsos Mori on behalf of the Carnegie UK Trust in an omnibus poll carried out in all five jurisdictions covered by the Trust in its work (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland). The poll was conducted over the period August – October 2011. A total of 1000 people aged 15 and over were surveyed in Ireland. The full research report containing data from across the UK as well as review of the current policy debate can be found here and additional factsheets for Scotland, England, Northern Ireland and Wales are also available. A discussion paper which sets out the main questions which the Trust believes need to be answered in order to move towards a public library service fit for the 21st century can be found here.

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