If you haven't stepped into a public library in recent years, you could be in for a surprise. Despite cutbacks in the Eighties and a public service embargo on new recruits which is still in place, the library service is making huge leaps forward. And membership is growing. The most recent figures show that the number of people enrolled as members increased by 12 per cent between 1988 and 1994, according to Norma McDermott, director of An Chomhairle Leabharlanna, the Library Council.

Time was when public libraries were mostly concerned with lending books. Nowadays, though, they are likely to offer a far wider range of services.

Liam Ronayne is president of the Library Association of Ireland, the librarians' professional body. He believes that a well-developed library is one housed in purpose-built accommodation, is relatively adequately staffed and is open at least 40 hours each week, including Saturdays and some evenings.

They should be computerised and offer information technology training opportunities. "The building must also be adequately stocked with up to date reference and recreational reading material," he says.

Not all libraries fulfill these criteria. Some 22 public libraries are computerising services and a growing number provide access to the Internet, according to the Library Council.

Libraries around the country vary in quality. Most large towns, though, now have good libraries. But while the library service is improving, it's at a rate that is too slow for the public. "If you open a brand new library in a town," says Ronayne, "the neighbouring towns clamour for the same."

A major problem for the library service is funding - or the lack of it. Public libraries are run by local authorities, which are notoriously strapped for cash. They finance day-today running costs. Nonetheless, this funding has increased by 26 per cent to an annual £35 million over the past five years.

THE Library Council estimates that in 1997 local authorities spent between £0.67 and £3.33 per head of the population on books. Almost two-thirds of these allocated £1 or less per head of population to their bookfunds.

The capital costs of the service are funded by the Department of the Environment to the tune of £3 million annually. Typically, the Department funds all building costs plus half of the costs of equipment and bookstocks. But, with library costs escalating, this amount is clearly insufficient.

As a result, projects costing more than £37 million are in hand and many towns are forced to wait decades for new libraries. Lucan, Co Dublin, for example, has been waiting for a new public library for a quarter of a century.

"At the moment, local authorities are showing more commitment than central government," comments Ronayne. "You have to give credit to the county managers and councillors - they are listening."

Should we be concerned about the future of public libraries? Definitely, says Dublin city librarian Deirdre EllisKing. "Public libraries have a vital role to play in the era of life-long learning," she observes. "We see ourselves as thegateway to open and distance learning and as providers of facilities for people to learn and upskill." Two years ago, she says, a survey revealed that 40 per cent of users of the Dublin Central Library's open learning centre were unemployed.

Dublin Corporation plans to introduce Internet access into all its branch libraries by the end of the year, according to Ellis-King. "If people don't have access to the global pool of information they will be disadvantaged," she says. "Public libraries have a real role to play in affording this facility to people of all ages."

Talk to librarians and it's clear that information technology is the biggest single issue facing libraries today. "IT provides a means of enhancing access to resources, even in rural area," says Ellis-King. "Location is becoming more irrelevant in terms of accessing hard data."

Significantly, instead of becoming redundant in the age of technology, libraries have an even greater role to play in both providing facilities and guiding the public in their use. Janet Rooney, a senior librarian with the Dublin Central Library, says: "Libraries are more welcoming than they were in the past. They used to provide what they thought people should have. Now they respond to their needs."

Libraries now play a key role in disseminating public/government information. "People come to us for information because they see us as being neutral and they don't feel under any obligation," says Rooney.

The provision of public information, notes Ellis-King, is an area that should be expanded. There is a huge need for people to access personal, social, educational and careers information and to be referred to the appropriate agencies.

The services libraries can offer are limited by the amount of staff they are allowed to employ. Take, for example, the growing public interest in geneology and heritage. Libraries are continually being asked for help in this area.

"We have a lot of material that is not as accessible as it might be, because of a lack of staff," says Ellis-King. "If we had the staff we could make the material available on the Internet or on CD-ROM. We get a lot of repetitious reference enquiries. If we had people to carry out research we could publish much of the information in book form.

"We are currently involved in a project to photograph and index the vernacular architecture of North County Dublin. We'd like to be able to do the same for the whole city."

If libraries are to provide a comprehensive and needs-based service, they must extend opening hours. Only one third of branch libraries are open for between 30 and 54 hours each week. If the library service is to be truly customer-oriented, evening and all-day Saturday and Sunday openings must become the norm. Librarians, of course, realise this, but given current staffing levels, extended opening hours are impossible, they say.

THERE are signs that the Government is beginning to take a greater interest in the library service. A review of policy on public libraries is being carried out by a project team which will report to the Minister for the Environment and Local Government. Members of the public are invited to make submissions before February 13th.

Librarians support the review. "We want to develop the service," notes Sean Priestly, county librarian in the South Dublin Co Council area. "We welcome submissions and would appreciate copies ourselves. We welcome feedback from the public on the best way to proceed."

Deirdre Ellis-King hopes that, "out of the deliberations, some sort of national standard will be laid down so that the public could know what level of service to expect."

One issue that must be addressed in any review, says Priestly, is the infrastructure. Currently applications for capital funding for new libraries are made through the Library Council, but he points out, there are no set criteria for approval. Different communities have different needs which may not be based solely on population.

The fact that only £3 million is available for capital development in any one year means that communities are forced to vie with each other for access to funds. "The money is totally unrealistic," he says.