Douglas Library is set to re-open in a temporary premises. Douglas Library suffered considerable damage as a result of the recent fire in Douglas Village Shopping Centre. In a question by Cllr Kieran McCarthy to the Chief Executive of Cork City Council during the past week, it has been confirmed that three-quarters of the books have been burned or charred and need to be destroyed. Since the fire, Council officials have been working to try and restore a library service to the community in Douglas and environs, as quickly as possible.
Cllr McCarthy noted: “the Council proposes to provide a pop-up library facility initially on a three days per week basis, in a suitable location in Douglas. They expect that this will commence early in November 2019. Discussions are continuing with the owners of the premises involved”.
Director of Services Adrienne Rogers hopes that discussions will be concluded in a satisfactory manner in the very near future; “The Council is also making progress in restoring a full library service in Douglas on an interim basis. This would be in a smaller location that the Library damaged by the fire, but would be on the basis of a 5-day, 40 hours per week service. It is expected that there would be some refurbishment to be carried out to enable this interim solution, and Council officials are urgently progressing this matter”.
Refurbishment is likely to take a number of months, and more detailed information will be provided to councillors in the near future.
As Douglas Library was a lending facility, like other local libraries, one third approximately of the stock was in circulation outside of the premises at the time of the fire, and this stock will be available to initiate the resumption of service in Douglas. The Council is in discussions with the relevant government department to secure funding for additional stock, and is hopeful of a positive outcome.
Cllr McCarthy noted; “Douglas Library is a cultural focal point in the village and has a high membership with adults and in particular younger people using it. It also hosted a large number of weekly community events, which attracted a lot of interested local people. It is imperative that the Library is got up and running again”.