· All Public Library Services receive the Charter
· Minister Humphreys: ‘This is about the provision of enhanced library services for older citizens’
· The charters recognise the progress made by public libraries in meeting the diverse needs of older persons
On Friday 16th February 2024 The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, awarded Age Friendly Recognition Charters to Ireland’s public libraries.
The award event took place in Edgeworthstown library, County Longford, one of Ireland’s newest public libraries.
The Age Friendly Recognition Charter recognises the progress made by the public library service in developing enhanced services for older communities. Public libraries have reviewed their collections and event programmes along with their facilities and services to identify improvements to meet older person’s needs.
Awarding the Recognition Charters, Minister Humphreys said:
“I am delighted to be here today (16/02/24) to recognise the superb work of our public libraries in developing enhanced services for ageing communities and to award the Age Friendly Recognition Charters to our library services.
“Libraries are a core service within our neighbourhoods, and they are particularly invaluable to older people as a source of information, and as community hubs, learning centres and cultural facilities.
“The Age Friendly Library Recognition Programme supports libraries to examine their facilities and services and to listen to older customers.
“Library staff across the country go above and beyond to create welcoming, accessible, and relevant services for older people and people who have diverse and changing needs.”
Catherine McGuigan, Chief Officer, Age Friendly Ireland welcomed the awards, stating:
“Today’s (16/02/24) awards are a further step towards the vision of an age friendly Ireland. Age Friendly Libraries are vibrant, welcoming, diverse settings with an array of supports and services that enable older people to visit, learn and be part of the fabric of their communities.
“I thank the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Libraries Ireland and our network of Age Friendly Library Champions across the country who have facilitated this recognition process and achievement.”
There were several examples given at the event of the measures implemented by age-friendly public libraries, including:
· Walkability audits of the buildings
· Age Friendly Parking
· Adapted trollies for customers to transport heavy books to the counter
· Meeting spaces for older people’s groups
· Accessibility improvements such as automatic doors
· Seating that is suitable for older people, and accessible shelving so books are at eye levels
· Provision of digital training and digital equipment loans
· Outreach services to library members’ homes
Detail of all Age Friendly Ireland initiatives can be found at https://agefriendlyireland.ie