Council officially opens new library

THERE was good news for locals in Donabate and Portrane last week when its new library was officially opened in the heart of the community.

The delivery of Fingal County Council’s newest library provides the full range of services, from a collection of lending material including books, CDs, DVDs, Prints and gaming, to programmes of events for adults and children, free WiFi and substantial IT resources to the 9,000 strong community in the region.

The library has been designed as a community space to meet the educational, cultural, and leisure needs of the public.

Ann Marie Farrelly, Director of Services at the council, said:

“This new project is unique as it is the first co-location of a public library with a community and leisure centre in Ireland thereby maximising the efficient use of existing space.

“This allows us to deliver a sustainable community library to the residents on the Donabate Portrane peninsula.

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Already a great success, the new library opened its doors on April 14 and within the first fortnight had 2,124 visitors and recorded 3,640 transactions.

Yvonne O’Brien, Senior Executive Librarian with Fingal County Council, said:

“This library, housed within the Donabate Portrane Community and Leisure Centre and located in the centre of the schools campus in Donabate, is set to become the heart of the community, accessible to all.

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Laid out over one floor, the library is bright, modern and spacious with comfortable seating for studying or reading.

Borrowers will be able to borrow items using state-of-the-art

‘Self Service Totems’ and use other technologies such as an interactive Smart Board in the quiet room.

In addition to what is on offer, members can also avail of the wide range of online library services on a 24/7 basis, including book renewals and reservations, free ebooks, downloadable audio books, educational and language courses.

Fingal Libraries services, which are free of charge, boasted a collective total of 157,403 registered borrowers in 2013 with 1,077,122 transactions from its nine libraries servicing the Fingal area.

“I am very proud that Fingal County Council has one of the highest library memberships in the country,

? said Mayor of Fingal Cllr Kieran Dennison.

“We also have one of the most innovative and proactive library services.

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