Wednesday 25 March 2020

Library Services available during closure for COVID-19 emergency

In the interest of preventing the further spread of COVID-19, all public libraries in County Clare will remain closed until the 16th April 2020. This includes the Local Studies Centre and Library Headquarters. We thank you all for your understanding. The following services are available to members while we are closed.

Overdue books Don’t worry about overdue library books/CDs etc! We have extended the due date for all items until May 4th and will extend further if necessary. There are no fines on overdue library books anyway.

Outdated memberships All memberships that have expired since January or due to expire by April 30th have been renewed until 30th June so this shouldn’t affect people trying to use the online resources. If your membership expired before January 1st 2020 contact your local library to renew.

New members If you are not a library member, you can join up to use the e-resources even though the library is closed. Click on the JOIN NOW button on the library homepage.

E-resources Our e-resources including e-books, audio books, magazines, online language learning and other courses are still available. You need to join up separately for these services using your library card number. Follow the instructions for each service linked to from the library homepage (See about this service under each resource). All e-resources are free of charge and include:

BorrowBox allows you to borrow either e-audio or e-books any time of day from anywhere. It is available online or as an app you can download to your smartphone or mobile device. All you need is an email address, your library barcode and a PIN number.

RBdigital Magazines offers a large collection of popular e-magazines. You can check out an unlimited number of magazines and keep them in your account for as long as you wish. You can use RBdigital Magazines on your computer or on a tablet/smartphone through the RBdigital mobile app.

Transparent Languages helps you learn more than 100 foreign languages online.

PressReader is an online newsstand with thousands of the world's most popular newspapers and magazines, including Irish titles.

Universal Class offers access to over 400 free online e-learning courses from accounting to writing skills.

If you have trouble accessing online resources such as BorrowBox, check the support details for that service on our website www.clarelibrary.ie. If that doesn't help contact your local library (staff are still there) or send an email to library_mailbox@clarecoco.ie.

Wednesday 4 March 2020

Clare County Library's Teen Week/Ennis Book Club Festival gets off to a start.

The library’s Teen Week/Ennis Book Club Festival events got off to an inspirational start at deValera Library, Ennis on the 3rd of March.

Everest summiteer John Burke captivated an attentive audience from St. John Bosco Community College, Kildysart with an account of his amazing journey.

He spoke about how the skills, self-awareness, resilience and confidence to be gained in setting and achieving goals is central to developing a healthy mindset.

John left the group of Transition Year students with amazing stories and images from the highest mountain on Earth and more importantly a message to take one step at a time to reach your personal Everest.