ENFOpoints 2010-2011

ENFOpoint Service 2010-2011

The development of ENFOpoints was part of the strategy of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government to make environmental information services available locally to all throughout the country. In 2009 the Minster for the Environment, Community and Local Government launched an enhanced ENFO environmental information service. Central to this is the www.enfo.ie website and an enhanced role for public libraries in supporting local communities in greener living. Demand for environmental information is increasing all of the time and libraries are uniquely placed in the heart of the community as the recognised and trusted providers of knowledge and information. Libraries also provide natural centres for communities to showcase their activities towards improving the environment from the long established initiatives like Tidy Towns to the newer developments such as Grow it Yourself. Local organisations and community groups can work with the library to inform the community about their activities and can explore the library’s resources to keep up to date and to develop further their activities. Library resources include:

• access to www.enfo.ie with its vast collection of information, posters, leaflets, exhibitions and audio and video material,
• access to a wide range of books on environmental topics from the library’s own collection and through www.borrowbooks.ie to the collections of all the public libraries in Ireland,
• exhibitions and talks with local and national experts on topics from how climate change will affect your area to learning about the wildlife in your hedgerows
• information for primary and secondary students to support the curriculum and project work with talks in schools and class visits to the library.

ENFOpoint launch in Tullow Library, Co. Carlow

L-R: Annette Kelly, Assistant Director, An Chomhairle Leabharlanna; Minister Phil Hogan, T.D.; Carmel Flahavan, Executive Librarian, Carlow County Libraries; Tom Kinsella, Cathaoirleach, Carlow County Council.

Courtesy of William Paton, Carlow County Council

ENFOpoint launch in Tullow Library, Co. Carlow
Courtesy of William Paton, Carlow County Council

ENFOpoint launch in Tullow Library, Co. Carlow

L-R: Annette Kelly, Assistant Director, An Chomhairle Leabharlanna; Minister Phil Hogan, T.D.; Carmel Flahavan, Executive Librarian, Carlow County Libraries; Tom Kinsella, Cathaoirleach, Carlow County Council.

Courtesy of William Paton, Carlow County Council

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Five ENFOpoints were set up in 2011:

Oldcastle Library, Co. Meath

Thurles Library, Co. Tipperary

Clonmel Library, Co. Tipperary

Kilmallock Library, Co. Limerick

Tullow Library, Co. Carlow

The new ENFOpoint in Tullow Library was launched on the 16th of September, 2011 by Phil Hogan, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government.
 

In 2010, four ENFOpoints were established. Library branches from four different counties participated in the pilot ENFOpoint service:

Central Library, Waterford City

Clara Library, Co. Offaly

County Library, Tallaght, South Dublin

Midleton Library, Co. Cork

Midleton Library's ENFOpoint was launched by Senator Dan Boyle on behalf of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on the 20th of September, 2010. The ENFOpoint at the Central Library in Waterford City was launched by the Deputy Mayor of Waterford City, Cllr. Seamus Ryan on the 20th of October, 2010. Eanna Ní Lamhna, botanist, ecologist and broadcaster launched the new service in County Library in Tallaght on the 16th of November, 2010 and also launched the ENFOpoint in Clara Library in Offaly on the 13^th of December, 2010.