Galway Bay fm newsroom – There are calls to reverse a Local Government Management Agency decision to have unmanned public libraries across the county.
Independent councillor for Athenry/Oranmore Jim Cuddy will be putting down a motion at the next full meeting of Galway County Council later this month, seeking the rethink.
The unmanned library model is currently being piloted in Offaly and it is intended to extend it to Ballinasloe, Oranmore and the Westside library in the city.
The scheme would allow pre-registered library members to access the library buildings and facilities outside normal opening hours.
Over 600 people have signed a petition at the Westside library against this new proposed system.
Councillor Cuddy says some of the library staff as well as the service users have concerns over the plan.
He says many of these concern security under the new system.
Meanwhile, Trade Union IMPACT is today beginning an industrial action ballot over the staffless library initiative.
IMPACT believes the plan will lead to job losses and will result in completely staffless libraries offering reduced services.