Council urged to renew library lease

DUBLIN City Council is being urged to renew the lease for a Northside library at its current premises. 

Donaghmede Library is currently housed in a first floor unit in Donaghmede Shopping Centre. The current lease has a 35-year term, which commenced in 1984 and is due to expire in June 2019. However, as reported in Northside People recently, a major campaign is underway to safeguard the library’s future after suggestions from the city council that it may consider relocating it.

Dublin Bay North TD Tommy Broughan (Ind) said many local residents are concerned that the library will be moved out of the shopping centre.

Deputy Broughan said if the city council is intending to construct a new Civic Centre for Donaghmede and its environs, which would include a library, local constituents would need early consultation on this.

“The local TARGET resource centre in Donaghmede also lost its home in Scoil Colmcille earlier this year and is now located at Donaghmede House and two or three other venues in the district,” he said. 

“There is a need for a major community facility for the large Donaghmede Parish and the nearby North Fringe but I’m calling for Donaghmede Library to be retained in a central location for the surrounding 3,000 plus Donaghmede households.

“For over 30 years, Donaghmede Library has provided an essential resource to all those living in Donaghmede and in the wider community. 

“From speaking with constituents, I know many would be very opposed to this potential relocation and would be a terrible loss to the community.  It would be absolutely awful to lose this important local facility.”

Donaghmede residents do not want the library to be relocated and are actively campaigning to have the lease extended past June 2019.  

“I am fully behind them in their endeavours and have been in touch with the chief executive of Dublin City Council, Owen Keegan,” he added.

In a statement, Dublin City Council said it is too early to comment on the library’s future in its current location, as it is dependent on the outcome of negotiations with the landlord on the expiration of the lease.

“Dublin City Council is committed to exploring all opportunities to ensure there is continuity of service for the users of Donaghmede Library and the communities of Donaghmede, Clongriffin, and Balgriffin,” a spokesperson said. 

“This includes opportunities to relocate the library to a Dublin City Council owned premises, which would allow us:

• To provide increased floor space, allowing better capacity to expand the services already offered in the current location. This includes increased study space; enhanced digital services; lecture facilities; a larger children’s library; and improved exhibition facilities.

• To improve universal access through the provision of increased floor space; accessible ground floor entrances; ramps/lifts where appropriate; new furniture; and public toilets.

• To provide greater street presence as well as a quality civic space.”

The spokesperson added that future updates would be provided in due course.