A new community library has been opened in a rural area of the Inishowen peninsula to help the population to keep pace with the information age.
The project co-ordinator, Mr Gerard Duddy, said it was not like a traditional library as it was "more proactive", and one of the aims was to make people aware of issues affecting their lives. Located in Carrowmenagh, it is 14 miles from Malin Head. The village consists of a public house, a post office and a shop.
The community resource library has nearly 2,000 items on the shelves, including books, journals, reports and videos, and there is also a newspaper clipping service. There will be an emphasis on keeping information on topical issues such as the environment, school bullying and domestic violence.
Mr Duddy said a computer with Internet access would be available, and there would be facilities to help children and adults with learning difficulties. This was particularly important given that the rate of early school-leaving in Inishowen was one of the highest in the State, he said.
"In an ever-changing world it is important that communities in rural Ireland like Carrowmenagh do not suffer from an information deficit, because this would only serve to reinforce their isolation," Mr Duddy said.
The library is a joint project between Carrowmenagh Development Association and the local youth club and is housed in a former primary school. It received Lottery funding through the North Western Health Board. FAS workers will staff the library in the afternoons and evenings.
Mr Duddy hopes to establish a network of similar projects in other areas.
The library can be contacted at (077) 67251.