Library members will now have access to the online catalogues of the State's 32 public libraries, with the launch of a new book borrowing service.
The www.borrowbooks.ie website brings together all the online public library catalogues for the first time.
If a book is not available in a local library, its members can search for it on the new website.
When they locate it, they can request its delivery to their local library. The library will tell them when the book arrives. A loan request between libraries will take about two weeks and readers will be notified of any delays.
A wide range of other material can also be requested, including videos, DVDs and CDs.
The new service, which is funded by the Department of the Environment, was launched by its Minister, Dick Roche, at the South Dublin County Library in Tallaght yesterday.
He said the initiative was proof that the public library service was meeting the challenges of the information age.
"It has been the aim of my department to enable the provision of access, through the public library service, to the very comprehensive collections which the public libraries hold and to ensure the provision of this access on a national basis.
"For example, a user in Wexford can see perhaps an item on local history in Donegal's collection and have it delivered to their local library in Wexford.
"For the first time, we can truly say we have a national public library service." Placing the request is free but some libraries may charge a small administration fee.
