This is our little local library located only a few minutes walk from our apartment. We still have access to every book in every library. The inter-library loan system is excellent and it doesn't take long to get your book. Our library is only opened two days a week--Wed and Fri from 9:30-5:30. It's a small library compared to the central library but it acts just as big for the members in the community :)
This is the Ballinrobe library which was our first local library when moved to Ireland. It is located in Co Mayo and is housed in a former Church of Ireland church. There are numerous libraries located in former churches throughout the country which is a great way to reuse an existing building.
In England a lot of local libraries are under threat of closure as government tries to save money, hope yours don't go the same way.
ReplyDeleteIt's so nice to see that you have a good library system, they make for a good community.
ReplyDeleteNice libraries. The first one I like. We have a similar building here in Bergen. This is Denmark consulate. I have too much to check, but I will try to show it. Greetings from still warm and sunny Bergen.
ReplyDeleteA basic requirement for any residence is "how close is the library?!" It is an essential part of my life and am forever grateful for the libraries in my city. I love the fact that so many libraries are in churches, but what does that say about religion in Ireland? Baffling to me. I love the top photo because its architecture seems so out of character for Ireland. Looks like it belongs in another country. Great post today, Bill. I learned a lot!
ReplyDeleteThe reused churches we have seen are Church of Ireland, so are small and would have had small congregations to begin with. The Ballinrobe library had been derelict--COI folks went to a church in a neighbouring village and that was was abandoned. The Catholic churches are much larger, but even they are not as popular as they once were. More and more people--especially young ones--are nominal Catholics. They do weddings, funerals, etc in the church and they have their kids baptised and do the other rites of passage in the church, but they do not go to mass regularly in the large numbers that they once did. The stuff with the kids is almost forced upon them in many cases, because the church still runs the so-called public school system and is able to discriminate--and they do--by allowing baptised kids to attend schools and denying others. There is a growing movement against this and I expect it will be changed. Parents talk of trying to get their kids enrolled, being denied, and being told that they could easily solve the problem by having their school aged children baptised! A growing chorus of voices is trying to get the church out of civic institutions like education and health care--it is a matter of time before they are successful!
DeleteBrilliant post today, Bill. Thanks! Glad you got through my lengthy one at Portland Oregon Daily Photo.
ReplyDeleteNice library system! I really like that one in the first picture, especially the clock tower.
ReplyDeleteAnd interesting that, even in Ireland, so many are out of business. But still it's wonderful that the libraries are there and work as a cooperative.
ReplyDeleteMy father's family is from Clare and I'd guess the libraries in Ennis and Kilrush are pretty active. Gotta confess, though, that I've gone completely over to Kindle.
Co Donegal is part of a nationwide ebook borrowing system, which is good. They do not have kindle books, though. I have both a nook and a kindle (they were gifts) so I can--and do--use the nook for ebooks.
DeleteSome of the thirty odd libraries in our city system are in outlying areas, and won't be open each day of the week, but others have six or seven day schedules.
ReplyDeleteI am embarrassed to admit that I rarely use libraries. I buy books at bookstores and online and then I wonder what to do with them. Makes no sense, does it? Still, I think public libraries are essential public services.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting this initiative of several local libraries. And the facades of libraries are beautiful.
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