Library services concern

SENIOR management in Cork City have written to trade union Impact with concerns about the proposed amalgamation of Cork’s city and county library services. ‘It is understood that Cork County management share the same view,’ a statement from Impact said. The councils are currently in discussions with the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government and it is their position that ‘the amalgamation as outlined is not appropriate for a number of reasons,’ the statement added. Impact trade union has undertaken a campaign in opposition to proposed library amalgamations throughout the country, which would bring the number of library services from 32 to 23. Peter Nolan, national secretary with Impact said this week: ‘Cork city and county is a unique case because it is the only amalgamation which is happening within county lines. It is therefore quite significant that senior management in Cork are concerned,’ he said.