Louth libraries to receive €275K digital upgrade

A State investment of €275 thousand will be made available to County Louth for digital services and facilities in our public libraries, it has been announced today.

Welcoming the news Louth TD Fergus O'Dowd said: 

"The investment of €274,991 will be provided through my colleague Minister Michael Ring’s Department and also through a contribution from Louth County Council." 
 
"This investment will enhance ICT infrastructure, create new meeting spaces with state of the art technology and provide dedicated digital learning suites. The new facilities and services will attract new users of all ages to our public libraries." 

The funding includes the provision of: 

• iPads/tablets/smart devices for users and for staff to assist users
• Computers and workstations including image deployment technology 
• Software to support design, gaming and coding
• Meeting space technology
• Podcasting equipment and workstations 
• “Dementia Tables” which facilitate play and learning for people with mild to severe dementia as well as those with intellectual disabilities, learning difficulties and autism
• Mobile LCD screens with audio
• Interactive whiteboards
• Digital training suites 

Deputy O'Dowd spoke of the importance of funding public libraries:

"We need to invest in our public libraries in order to increase footfall and improve constituent's accessibility to modern technology and learning tools that would otherwise be impossible.

"I want to see our libraries become mini enterprise hubs where people from every background come together to access information, share ideas and have the equal opportunity to learn", he concluded.