Introduction
www.culturenet.ie
The CultureNet website is an initiative of the main Irish cultural organisations, including Irish public libraries. The website contains listings, contact details and links to these institutions (libraries, museums and archives) throughout Ireland.
Online services available within your local library
This section describes how the Internet, and Internet resources are used within the public library branches.
Internet Access
There are computers with Internet access available to members of the public, in all public library branches. Rules governing the use of these PCs vary from authority to authority. While not all libraries require you to be a full member, most require some kind of registration. In busy branches you will need to book a PC in advance, and you will be limited to a specific time period. Some library authorities charge a fee for Internet use.
Check your local library website, or call into your local branch, to find out about Internet access.
Many libraries will have a PC, or a number of PCs, available to the public to search their online catalogues (OPAC). In some cases, OPACs are enabled for visually impaired users.
Some branch libraries are also WiFi enabled, or what are known as ‘hot spots’. This means that users with a WiFi enabled laptop can access the Internet on their own laptops, free of charge, in the library building. All of the branches in South Dublin County Library, for example, are enabled with this facility. Check with your own local library if this service is available.
Reference sites
Many reference sources, such as encyclopaedia and dictionaries are available online. This means that the companies producing these resources are able to update their information as soon as it changes. Therefore, the online versions of these resources can often contain the most up-to-date information. In response to these developments many library authorities offer access to these resources. There is a larger variety of options and you should check with the reference section of your local library to find out what they offer. Examples of the resources now available online are the Encyclopaedia Britannica, the Oxford English Dictionary and The Irish Times.
Internet training courses
Some library authorities offer training workshops and courses. They may be specifically about computer use and using the Internet or they may incorporate technical learning within a more general subject such as travel or health for example.
