Contents Library Service 2 Arts Service 6 Archives Service 10 Museum Service 12 Public Art 15 Heritage Office 18 Regional Cultural Centre 22 Cultural Services Division Personnel 26 Foreword onegal County Council takes a proactive approach to the provision of cultural services in the county. DThis document highlights a number of events and achievements of the Council’s Cultural Services Division from 2010, which show the huge diversity and the exceptional quality of the various programmes, whether this be through the Library Service, the Arts (County Arts , Regional Cultural Centre, Public Art) or Heritage (Museum, Archives, Heritage). The Elected Members of Donegal County Council recognise the importance of culture as a resource for County Donegal and seek to provide support for this key sector annually. It is our aim that the Council will continue to deliver high quality cultural services as one of its core services. The 5 goals of the Cultural Services Division are (i) to improve access to, and increase participation in cultural activities in County Donegal, (ii) to maintain and develop a high quality service, (iii) to promote and develop the educational value of culture, (iv) to promote excellence and innovation, and (v) to promote the importance of culture and preserve cultural inheritance. While these are high-level goals, they translate into a range of cultural experiences available to the community across the county. Each experience can contribute to the short, medium and long-term development of the individual, particularly of children and young people, but also for adults. These experiences are provided for your enjoyment, information and education and I encourage you to take up the opportunities provided. We look forward very much to meeting you. Clr. Noel McBride Mayor of County Donegal CHAPTER1 THERE WERE 312,018 VISITS TO DONEGAL LIBRARIES IN Library 2010. THIS IS AN INCREASE Service OF 5% ON THE 2009 FIGURES A New Library for Soapbox Challenge, ‘Wind Energy –The Seachtain na Gaeilge Most Popular Books November. ‘Paper Stories’ took place Bundoran Community Gaoth Dobhair Future or a Blot on the Landscape?’ This The promotion of the Irish Language The two most borrowed books in in Áras Sheáin Bháin in Baile na Finne, Library helps you In July, the Minister for the Environment, was quoted as being ‘the best attended is highlighted in the ‘Cultural Donegal in 2010 were ‘The Official the Arranmore Island Development ‘Relax and Read’ ! Heritage and Local Government wind energy debate in the country’. The Connections’ strategic plan. Seachtain Theory Test for Learner Drivers’, and Employment Co-op, The Forge You can now order your tea or coffee announced funding of €600,000 for a winner competed in the national final in na Gaeilge was held from the 8th to the followed by ‘Little Darlings’, by Family Resource Centre in Pettigo and at a local café and relax with a nice new library in Gaoth Dobhair. Since Farmleigh, Dublin. 17th of March. 404 people attended table Jacqueline Wilson. The Mevagh Family Resource Centre book from the library. The ‘Relax and then library staff have been working with quizzes, storytelling, and other events. Best-selling authors Stieg Larsson, in Downings. Facilitated by Kids Own Read’ campaign was implemented in Údaras na Gaeltachta on Aislann Ghaoth Wainfest Irish language stock was promoted and Dan Brown, Marian Keyes, Maeve Publishing Company, the aim was to Bundoran. Four local cafés agreed to Dobhair. Construction was largely Donegal’s 14th Wainfest Festival was library staff visited Gaelscoileanna Binchy, Colm Toibín and Patricia create opportunities for parents and display some library books on trial for completed by year end. The library will launched by Mayor Cllr Cora Harvey in and naoinraí. Scanlan featured as authors of the top their young children to work together to the summer. Forty books were delivered be a contemporary space, accessible to the Central Library in October. Over 5100 10 titles borrowed. Of the top 100 titles make their own books. to each café, including children’s books, the whole community and will open to children and young people with parents Some Statistics borrowed, almost 50% were books for The result was a once-off publication short reads, travel books and coffee table the public in 2011. and teachers attended 116 events in There were 312,018 visits to Donegal children or young people. Children called ‘Ag Obair le Chéile’, which will be style books - which could be easily read libraries and Taobh Tíre centres. As well libraries in 2010, (2122 visits per 1000 continue to love reading! launched in 2011. while relaxing over a cuppa. ‘Relax and Europe Direct Information as local talent including Joe Brennan and population). These visitors borrowed Read’ was so successful it continued Centre, Central Library, Sharon Aicken, 2010 saw the return of 351,402 items. This is an increase on Taobh Tíre Reader Shared Stories Project throughout winter. Letterkenny old favourites such as Michael Moylan’s 2009 figures of 5% in visitor numbers Development The OECD report, ‘Reading for Change’, The Europe Direct Information historical and science workshops and and 12% in number of items borrowed Programmes found that reading for pleasure is more Travelling Library Centre provides access to European Niall de Búrca’s animated storytelling. - despite a 16% decrease in library Taobh Tíre was awarded funding of important to a child’s educational The Travelling Library is a unique Commission websites and publications opening hours due to decreased €10,000 under the Peace lll Programme, achievement than family’s wealth or mobile resource that houses books plus a free phoneline to Europe. In 2010 Bealtaine staffing levels. to deliver two reader development social class. This is the rationale behind made by children for children. Kids Own the Centre answered 102 telephone calls In 2010 the Bealtaine Festival, promoting Libraries were open a combined programmes: ‘Shared Stories’. With €5,000 granted facilitators worked with young people and 555 emails as well as dealing with creativity in older age, celebrated its 13th 346.8 hours per week. In addition the In ‘Anything to Declare?’ , young from the Peace III Programme, 29 book and their parents in Bundoran Library. 2895 personal queries. year in Donegal with a diverse range cross-border mobile library made 11 people ( at the St. Johnston Carrigans collections were placed in libraries and Their writings and drawings were then The Centre staged 30 events of events including storytelling, flower stops per week in Donegal. Family Resource Centre ) gathered Taobh Tíre centres. compiled with those of children from (with 3000 participants), ranging arranging, circular knitting, besom- 29,511 Internet sessions were taken stories and memories of The Troubles Each collection contains other libraries in Sligo, Enniskillen from environmental and anti-racism making, music and song. Creative local up. Libraries in all areas staged 81 from older people. Working with a picturebooks, storybooks and fairytales and Derry, and published in a book workshops to language classes and a talent included Aussie Bryson and Fergus exhibitions, plus organised 289 events. Verbal Arts Centre facilitator, they from across the globe, as well as books called, ‘Ding Dong, Right or Wrong? European Mobility Week competition, Cleary. A programme of over 87 events Libraries also provided substantial gained experience and skills in about children of all races, highlighting Children’s Rights, Needs and Visions which resulted in the installation of in 20 venues took place in libraries outreach visits and support to interviewing, researching and recording the differences and of course the for the Future’. The book was officially bicycle parking at Central Library. One and Taobh Tíre Centres with over 800 nursing units, playgroups and schools techniques, culminating in the DVD, commonalities of all children. A reading launched by the Minister for Children in highlight was the regional final of the attending. throughout Donegal. ‘Anything to Declare ?’, showcased in list is available. Dublin in November. 2 3 FROM LEFT: Taobh Tíre reader Development Programme, ‘Ag Obair le Chéile’ Photo: Kids Own Publishing Partnership Launch of Travelling Library Photo: Kids Own Publishing Partnership ‘Shared Stories’ project storytelling event at The Central Library Photo: Library Service Leabharlann Gaoth Dobhair Photo: Desks International A local launch took place in James Canavan, John Grant and Atsy cuts time from item purchase to arrival ‘Who Do You Think Storytelling Caravan in readings, and attend other arts events Bundoran where local children read McCaul, who documented social and on the library shelf and economically You Are?’ Donegal libraries hosted visits by the at Dámhlann. The official opening and their own stories from the book and cultural life over the past 50 years. To uses email and text notices for overdue Over 1070 attended 54 Donegal Studies Storytelling Caravan to Raphoe and the inaugural event took place during each child received a complimentary complement the archive, staff created items and reservations. The use of self- events held in 11 libraries. One of the Carndonagh as part of the Earagail Arts Earagail Arts Festival 2010. copy. This project was a fantastic an exhibition - aspects of Lifford issue terminals in busier libraries helps most memorable was ‘Who Do You Festival. Children disappeared into the opportunity for the library service to history since the 19th century. reduce queuing while a comprehensive Think You Are?’ - a series of 4 genealogy caravan to be entertained by tall tales increase children’s interaction with reporting system assists in efficiency of workshops in Central Library, organised from all parts of the globe! libraries and books and promote reading Working with other stock management. in partnership with the Council’s both as an informational aid and as a Council Services Donegal County Council received Archivist and the HSE’s Public Records Wildchild Pavement Art fun and creative pastime.