Mayfair Library

From: katharine larkin

Sent: Wednesday 26 June 2019 15:57

To: mayfairlibrary@kilkennycoco.ie

Subject: Proposed Mayfair Library

Planning Section

Kilkenny County Council

Mayfair Library

Dear Sir or Madam,

I welcome the proposal to adapt and extend the existing Mayfair structure to house a new library building for Kilkenny. I find the exterior design of the building acceptable, including the pleasing use of colour, with the request that provision be made for a full size broadleaf tree between the library and Irish Town/High Street, and also seating suited to older persons. The location is accessible on foot from city schools and is convenient for use by people from across the County making multi-purpose trips to Kilkenny City, by public or private transport.

I note that no library use plan or strategy is included in the document or rationale for the arrangements proposed. This is a critical opportunity for Kilkenny to develop a key piece of social, cultural and community infrastructure, and a very precious resource the use of which should be optimised. A library strategy should carefully assess future needs for a variety of uses and types of space, including quiet and informal areas, storage, and a greatly increased capacity to store and display books. The current range of 6 computers is often fully used and waiting is required. I suggest that the computer stations should at least be tripled in number and a library/IT strategy developed. It should also set out a future library use for the Carnegie Library which is one of the only 5 remaining Carnegie Libraries world wide still in library use. Children's areas should be located with regard to noise disturbance and to be an attractive and enjoyable space.

I request that internal arrangements should be reviewed and that in depth consultation with the library-using public of different age groups, teachers, and other interested persons should be carried to develop discussion on these arrangements. I also request that the library front line staff and management should be consulted and made fully aware of the arrangements proposed perhaps demonstrated by a model and their suggestions taken on board. Library management of spaces requires separate quiet zones for research and study. The new library creates an opportunity for a quiet study area, which must be under visual supervision of librarians / passive surveillance from their desk and works stations. This facility should if possible be open in after school study hours to benefit young people who have adverse study conditions at home. It also creates an opportunity to provide a space for exhibitions and community meetings: it should be possible to get direct external access to this space, which can be segregated from the library proper, so that it can be used outside library hours.

I would be very happy, given the opportunity, to give further input into consultation on community and library staff strategy and optimisation of this very important new facility.

With regards,

Katharine Larkin

M. Phil Town Planning