National Consultation on a new Strategy for Public Libraries Deadline July 28th 2017

by | Jul 18, 2017 | Archived, Current, National, PPN News

Public Library Strategy 2018-2022 Consultation With Public Participation Network

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The Department of Housing Planning, Community and Local Government, in conjunction with the LGMA and the Libraries Development Committee, has commenced the development of a new 5 year strategy for the public library service in Ireland.  As part of our early consultation on developing the new strategy, we would like to invite the Public Participation Networks to give some feedback on the progress of the Strategy developed to date. This is in advance of a more detailed public consultation which will take place in the Autumn.

You can read the draft strategy here:  2017 Library Strategy Draft Outline

Recent enhancements to the library service have greatly increased its value to the community.   The public library service can be very proud of the many initiatives delivered as part of the last strategy ‘Opportunities for All’ 2013-2017 which was a progressive programme for the development of our public library services.  Indeed the latest innovation launched on the 29 May 2017 is ‘Libraries Ireland’   – a  single library system  providing a single access for library members to over 15 million items in the 333 library branches across the country.  It is a landmark step in the positioning of the library as the ‘go to’ place for communities. Your views, as  Public Participation representatives are welcomed on what you consider will add to the new strategy and assist to inform its development so the public library is positioned to realise its full potential.

Background:

The term of our current public libraries strategy Opportunities for All, ends in 2017. A review of its progress and extensive early consultations has commenced to inform the development of a new strategy for the period 2018-2022.  The task is to­ identify key areas of focus for the next five-year strategy, taking account of new trends, developments and opportunities. 

Progress to date:

3 Thematic Programmes have been identified for the development and enhancement of the public library service during the period 2018-2022.

  1. Community Development,
  2. Literacy and Learning;
  3. Books/Reading & the Life of the Imagination.

Under each of these themes, a number of priority programmes will be designed and pursued, for example under Literacy and Learning, services and promotion of lifelong learning will be progressed.

Key questions:

  1. Do you feel the Thematic Programmes outlined would cover the most important services provided by libraries in your locality?
  2. If not, what others in your opinion could be explored and pursued?
  3. Is this likely to change significantly over the period 2018-2022?
  4. Do you have any other comments/suggestions on the proposed strategy?

How to Give Feedback  Deadline July 28th 2017: 

Please send your observations on the attached draft strategy outline attached here – 2017 Library Strategy Draft Outline (which consists of 3 thematic programmes and 6 underpinning elements for service delivery) to libstrategyreview@housing.gov.ie

 

Have your voices heard on the draft County Development Plan 2017-2023

by | Apr 14, 2016 | Archived

Clare People –Have Your Voices Heard:

You have until February 29th 2016 to make a submission to the final draft of the  Clare County Development Plan for 2017 – 2023

Are you fed up with flooding? Fascinated by festivals? Demented with lack of diversity? Anxious about art spaces? Curious about culture? Have you suggestions for sustainability? Ideas about inclusion? Okay Okay… enough already…

We want to make sure that as many Clare residents as possible are aware that that whatever their interests or concerns are, they can have their voices heard by making a submission to the Draft County Clare Development Plan 2017- 2023 before February 29th 2016 (before 4pm to be precise).

What is the Clare County Development Plan 2017- 2023?

The County Development Plan is the single most important policy document for the County as it represents an agreed economic, social, cultural and environmental blueprint for the future planning, growth and development of County Clare.  The plan sets out an overall strategy for the proper planning and sustainable development of the County over a six year period. Local authorities are obliged to begin drafting a new county development plan within four years of the previous plan’s adoption and so, even though it is only the beginning of 2016, they are already at the third stage of the four stage process of drafting and adopting a new plan.  Don’t worry though it is not too late for groups and individuals to have their opinions, ideas and suggestions taken into account.

Groups registered with the PPN are all entitled to make submissions as is every child, adult or in-between  who lives in the county. These submissions do not have to be technical or expert or even very complicated-as someone who lives in County Clare the local authority must take your view into consideration.

How do you go about making a submission?

  • The deadline for submissions is 4 pm on February 29th2016
  • Submissions should be sent in one format only – so by post, fax ore-mail.
  • All submissions should be titled: ‘Submission to the Draft Clare County Development Plan 2017 – 2023.’ 

By Post: Written submissions and observations (two copies) may be made to:

Planning & Enterprise Development Department,
Clare County Council,
Áras Contae an Chláir,
New Road, Ennis,
Co. Clare

By E-Mail:  to forwardplan@clarecoco.ie (max. document size by e-mail: 4MB)

By Fax: to (065) 6892071 

Notes:  Written submissions or observations in respect of the Draft Clare County Development Plan 2017 – 2023 made to the planning authority during the above period will be taken into consideration before the making of the Plan.

Children groups or associations representing the interests of children are entitled to make submissions or observations and any such submissions or observations received will be taken into consideration before the making of the Plan.

NB: As this is a public consultation process, submissions may be made available for public viewing and consequently personal details such as address, email address, and phone number should be submitted on a separate sheet accompanying any submissions or observations.

Find out More:

Read the Clare County Council’s Guide to the County Development Plan here

Read or download the current draft of the Clare County Development Plan 2017- 2023  here

You can also go and read it or look up a particular section of it in person between the dates and at the locations listed below:

 A copy of the Draft Clare County Development Plan 2017 – 2023, with associated Environmental Report and Natural Impact Report may be inspected during normal opening hours from Tuesday 8th December, 2015 until 29th February, 2016 (excluding public holidays). The display locations include:

  • Aras Contae an Chláir, New Road, Ennis;
  • De Valera Library, Ennis and Local Study Centre, Harmony Row, Ennis;
  • All public libraries;
  • All Municipal District Offices.

OR you can attend one of the public consultation sessions around the county and ask one of the officials any questions you have about it:

Public Consultations- Dates, Places and Times:

  • Community Centre, Kilrush
    Tuesday 19th January 2016
    Time: 4 p.m. – 8.00 p.m.
  • Resource Centre, Miltown Malbay
    Wednesday 20th January 2016
    Time: 4 p.m. – 8.00 p.m.
  • Library, Scarriff
    Tuesday 26th January 2016
    Time: 4 – 8.00 p.m.
  • Hylands Hotel, Ballyvaughan
    Wednesday 27th January 2016
    Time: 4 p.m. – 8.00 p.m.
  • Library, Sixmilebridge
    Thursday 28th January 2016
    Time: 4 p.m. – 8.00 p.m.
  • Clare County Council HQ, Ennis
    Monday 1st February 2016
    Time: 4 p.m. – 8.00 p.m.

Please feel free to contact me sarah@clareppn.ie if you need any help making a submission or if you have any questions about the plan itself you can call the Clare County Council’s planning department on 065 6821616.