New libraries for Wicklow town, Rathdrum, Aughrim and Bray along with a replacement Mobile Library van are included in a new Library Development Plan adopted for County Wicklow.
Under the plan Wi-Fi will be extended to every library in the county while there is also a commitment to increase the annual book fund.
The plan – adopted by Wicklow County Council on Monday – covers the years 2016 to 2020 and is the county’s fourth such plan which sets ambitious targets for the development of the library service throughout the county.
A new Library Management system will provide one single national membership for universal access to all public libraries and online library services throughout the country.
Online services including E-Books and downloadable Audio books are now available free-of -charge as well as online databases and newspapers from around the world.
The library service in Wicklow currently has 30,000 registered users who borrow almost half a million items each year.
The County Wicklow Library Service remains free to use despite current financial constraints in the Council.
Launching the plan, the Council also announced additional opening hours for Greystones and Ballywaltrim branches and the resumption of the local studies programme. The opening hours in the Blessington and Bray Branches, will be extended in summer 2016.
