Lib News Planned October 07:Lib News Planned Dec 06 01/10/2007 13:54 Page 3
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Lib News planned October 07:Lib News planned Dec 06 01/10/2007 13:54 Page 3 Issued by An Chomhairle Leabharlanna (The Library Council) No. 275 October 2007 ISSN 0332-0049 NATIONAL RECREATION POLICY FOR This month in pictures YOUNG PEOPLE Teenspace – the National Recreation Policy for Young People was developed by the Office of the Minister for Children in response to concerns raised by teenagers and parents. In the consultations conducted throughout the country in the development of the National Childrenʼs Strategy (2000), the need for improved play and recreation facilities was the single biggest concern cited by p.1-2 children and young people. The report based on the research, was launched by the Minister for Children, Brendan Smith TD, at Larkin Community College on September 10 2007. Teenspace recognises that young people donʼt always want to participate in structured activities and that hanging out is a valid and important aspect of teenage life. ʻTeenspace promotes new initiatives and the need for interagency co-operation but also outlines a strategic approach to existing investmentʼ said the Minister. ʻTo invest wisely in the future, we need to involve young people in helping us to plan and design the facilities, which are most relevant to themʼ he added. Liz Canavan, Principal Officer in the Office of the Minister for Children, said: p.2 ʻitʼs fantastic to see the kinds of recreational innovations which are already happening and seem to be hitting the mark with young people. We need to mainstream these projects and foster more interagency collaboration by the way we invest in the futureʼ. Youth cafés were identified by young people as their single biggest need during the consultations on the recreation policy, while the role of libraries also featured. The report recommends that: Existing facilities should include a space dedicated to young people where they can meet their friends in a safe environment. A dedicated space should also be included as part of the design of new community facilities, p.5 including libraries The existing commitment of public library authorities to the leisure needs of young people has been acknowledged in the report: The larger public libraries have dedicated 'teen zones', with sofas, CD- listening posts, free Internet access, and multimedia and music collections. The availability of these services can draw young people into accessing literature, as well as information relevant to their needs. p.5 Continued over Lib News planned October 07:Lib News planned Dec 06 01/10/2007 13:54 Page 4 Public libraries have also undertaken innovative projects such as BUNCLODY LIBRARY drama and drumming workshops, specifically directed at young people. Through the introduction of these new policies, 'the library' Bunclody library was launched formally by Minister for the is increasingly seen as a place for teenagers to hang out. This is Environment, Heritage and Local Government, John Gormley, particularly true of new libraries in the larger urban centres. T.D., at a ceremony in the town on Thursday 13 2007. Calling …and innovative approaches are given particular attention… Bunclody one of the most attractive towns in the country, Mr. It is encouraging the concept of ʻserviceʼ to its users being Gormley said that he was delighted to mark the renewal of provided both inside and outside the library building… It is also Wexfordʼs library service there. pioneering methods of delivering library services to remote areas Bunclody library opened in June and local people have been through the increased use of new information technology… flocking to use it ever since. Services include free use of 10 pcʼs For example: and broadband access to the internet. To date, internet services Teenagers are the main focus of Taobh Tíreʼs efforts in East have attracted almost 100% occupancy, with 32% take-up by Donegal... Text messaging will be an important means of foreign national users. The top five usages registered include communication. Library staff gave introductory talks on Taobh Tíre careers or jobs, work related enquiries, email, leisure interests and and the library service generally to the local youth project. At the travel information. Of the libraryʼs internet services users, one in first of these introductory meetings, of the 29 young people in two visit the Wexford County Council site, and between 20% & attendance, only one was a member of the library. Since then, all 30% of users visit other Irish government sites. 28 others have joined up. The library has a start-up collection of 20,000 items including a The whole process is envisaged as an interactive one with young Polish collection and books in other foreign languages, books on people being invited to take an active part in the planning of tape, and music and the spoken word on CD. Foreign language facilities for their use: courses proved very popular over the summer, both for people Apart from structures at local level, such as Comhairle na nÓg holidaying abroad and others studying more seriously. which provide young people with a forum for expressing their The total library space is 271m2. A meeting room is available to views on policy issues at local level, young people should also be groups and for library events. Summer events for families were consulted about the design of local recreation and leisure facilities, booked out and now the library is focusing on back-to-school and including public libraries, multi-purpose games areas, skateboard other educational pursuits. parks and community facilities. Also officiating at the launch, Wexford County Council Chairman The report recognises the threats to the vulnerability of young Cllr. Denis Kennedy reaffirmed the Councilʼs commitment to a free people and, whilst welcoming existing attempts to safeguard service. “Correct information is essential to every aspect of our them… lives and to the development of our communities”, said Kennedy. Those public libraries that provide Internet access to young people “Wexford County Council knows this and is committed to providing have policies in place to ensure that such access is appropriately a modern library service”. monitored and supervised. Bunclody library is open six days per week, Monday to Saturday, … it raises the possibility of more stringent controls being put in including Tuesday and Thursday nights until 9.00 pm. It is place in the future… situated in the middle of the town, in front of the new Mill Race A related issue is the criminal history vetting of people dealing with Hotel on the main Carlow to Enniscorthy road. Membership and all young people in recreational settings. At present, staff in a wide services are free. range of public sector facilities involving access to children are not vetted. This includes staff in leisure centres, public libraries and park wardens. BÉIM CURTHA AR CHAIGHDEÁN The report makes a number of recommendations in support of its LEABHAR GAEILGE main objectives which relate to the public library sector. The main ones being: QUALITY OF IRISH-LANGUAGE • An Chomhairle Leabharlanna, in association with the library BOOKS HIGHLIGHTED authorities and the Office of the Minister for Children, will investigate ways in which to develop services in public libraries Tugadh suntas ar an 18 Mean Fomhair, 2007 do chaighdeán na in partnership with young people. foilsitheoireachta Gaeilge nuair a fógraíodh na naoi leabhar Gaeilge atá ar an ngearrliosta do LEABHAR NA BLIANA 2007 ag • The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local ócáid speisialta a tionóladh i gCaisleán Bhaile Átha Cliath. Ba í Government, through the Public Library Service, will examine Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh, láithreoir ʻThe Afternoon Showʼ ar RTÉ, a the feasibility of expanding rural library initiatives for young dʼfhógair teidil na leabhar a bheidh san iomaíocht do na gradaim. people in rural areas. Attention was drawn to publishing standards for Irish-language • The Libraries and Cultural Diversity Project Team will make books on September 18 2007, when the nine books short listed for recommendations on the development of library services for LEABHAR NA BLIANA 2007 (Book of the Year 2007) were the multicultural society in Ireland. announced at a special event in Dublin Castle. Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh, presenter of RTÉʼs ʻThe Afternoon Showʼ announced • Websites of local authorities, the library service and local the titles shortlisted to compete for the awards. sports partnerships will provide information at local level on the range of amenities and facilities available. Gearrliosta – leabhar na bliana do dhaoine fásta / Shortlist – adult readers' book of the year The report can be downloaded from: • Sanas le Liam Ó Muirthile, foilsithe ag Cois Life. • An Bóthar go Santiago le Mícheál de Barra, foilsithe ag http://omc.gov.ie/documents/publications/TEENSPACE_Report_ Cois Life. ENG.pdf • Aiséirí/Requiem le Eoin Mac Lochlainn agus Ciarán Copies of all Teenspace: National Recreation Policy for Young Ó Coigligh, foilsithe ag Cló Chaisil. People documents, in English and Irish, can be found on • Mise an Fear Ceoil. Séamus Ennis – Dialann Taistil www.omc.gov.ie. 1942-1946, Eagarthóir, Ríonach Uí Ógáin, foilsithe ag Cló Iar-Chonnachta. • Gearrscéalta Ár Linne, Eagarthóir, Brian Ó Conchubhair, foilsithe ag Cló Iar-Chonnachta. Lib News planned October 07:Lib News planned Dec 06 01/10/2007 13:54 Page 5 Gearrliosta – leabhar na bliana do dhaoine óga / Shortlist – young The programme kicks off on October 9. Each talk will begin at 8.00 readers' book of the year pm. at the De Valera Library, Harmony Row, Ennis and admission • An Bhanríon Bess agus Gusaí Gaimbín le Biddy Jenkinson is free. If you are already a believer in the value of reading these agus Ríbó, foilsithe ag Coiscéim. talks will explore new angles and ideas for you. If you are not • Ag Taisteal le Tarlach sa tSeapáin le Laoise Ní Chomhraí, already a reader, then a whole new world awaits.