New state-of-the-art €5.2m library opens
By Aimee Walsh
THE NEW South Dublin County Council €5.2m state-of-the-art North Clondalkin Library opens.
The new library was opened by the Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and charities, Joe O’Brien TD, and The Mayor of South Dublin County Council, Councillor Ed O’Brien, on Wednesday, June 9.
A very tall juggler helps Daniel McLaughlin, CEO of SDCC, Mayor Ed O’Brien, Minister of State Joe O’Brien and Bernadette Fennell, County Librarian, at the opening of the new library
The new North Clondalkin Library offers a lecture hall, an exhibition space, a digital training suite as well as a smaller meeting room. There are also facilities such as self-service units, a large study area, an internet café and free wi-fi throughout the building.
The library also includes an innovating creative studio, which is a free-to-use digital maker space facilitating the creation of music recordings, podcasts and video. The space features a recording booth which provides patrons with access to audio and video recording equipment and software.
Speaking at the launch, Mayor Ed O’Brien said: “I am delighted to open the North Clondalkin Library today and to see the facilities the library will offer the local community. I am impressed that the finished library is very modern but keeps a traditional library brickwork design.”
The new library in North Clondalkin was identified as a priority in South Dublin County Libraries’ Development Plan, with an expanding youth population and strong demand for services from local schools and community groups in the area. South Dublin County Council invested €5.2 million towards the overall cost of the library with the Department of Rural and Community Development contributing
€1 million from its Library Capital Programme.
Minister Joe O’Brien said: “The public library strategy, ‘Our Public Libraries 2022’ seeks to establish a modern, progressive library service that connects and supports communities and provides a go-to-place for a range of integrated public services.
“This wonderful facility in Clondalkin certainly delivers on that. It realises the potential of a modern, evolving library service and offers lifelong learning opportunities – supporting literacy and providing access to a wide range of online resources and modern technology.”
