New plans for state-of-the-art €7.95m library unveiled

PLANS for the development of a new €7.95m library in Citywest were unveiled at a council meeting this week, and the facility is expected to be completed by mid-2026.

Speaking at Monday’s monthly council meeting, county librarian Paul Fusco said the Citywest Library will be located in Citywest Shopping Centre and will be in the top 20 largest libraries in the country.

The proposal aligns with a recommendation in the Fortunestown Local Area Plan – which includes Citywest – for the development of a library to serve the growing population of the area.

Speaking at the meeting, Mr Fusco said: “Obviously, the Fortunestown Local Area Plan stated we should make provision for a library space within or in close proximity to Citywest Shopping Centre.

“The County Development Plan, as well as the last two Library Development Plans, have identified Citywest as a priority.”

The proposed new library is expected to serve a population of 35,000 and is firmly in the top twenty largest libraries in the country, between Ballyroan Library and the County Library in Laois.

It will be spread across two floors, and it will include a terrace and a multifunctional meeting, event and study space on a gross floor area just under 1,700 sqm.

“It ticks the boxes of being clearly visible, centrally located, and attractive and welcoming,” added Mr Fusco.

The projected timeline for the development is that it will take two years from the completion of the Development Agreement, which has yet to be reached.

Ms Fusco said he expected the agreement to be finalised by mid-February next year, so it is estimated that the library will be completed by mid-2026 if that goes to plan.