THE turning of the first sod in preparation for the construction of a new state-of-the-art public library in North Clondalkin took place last Friday.
The Mayor of South Dublin County Council, Mark Ward, performed the honours in the company of Chief Executive Daniel McLoughlin and County Librarian Bernadette Fennell.
The proposed works will include the construction of a two-storey 1,299 square metre library building. The site of the new library will be at the junction of Liscarne, Oatfield and Harelawn.
Placed in the heart of the North Clondalkin community, the completed library will be a source of community development, and a significant resource for learning and exploration.
Work is due to commence later this month and will take approximately 15 months to complete. During construction, special hoarding to protect the site will be in place, along with on-site security. And a temporary wheelchair accessible footpath will give access to local residents. The modern library building will include adult, young adult, and children’s sections as well as community meeting rooms. Books, DVDs, CDs, newspapers and magazines will be available for borrowing, and the library will provide free access to the Internet, free Wi-Fi, and computer classes for all levels and age groups. Support for setting up a business and online information on courses and employment opportunities will also be offered.
Among the facilities, the North Clondalkin library will feature a large library hall accommodating all age groups and library activities as well as an IT training room and a conference room which opens out into the library for community and public events.
A small meeting room for book-clubs and community groups will be included alongside protected gardens for library use
The new library will be a place to meet, learn, explore and discover. It will provide lifelong learning opportunities in areas such as reading, numeracy, creative writing, health matters, local history, and arts and crafts. Extensive programmes of events for children and families will include school class visits, parent and toddler groups, book festival events, summer reading events and much more.
Speaking at the launch, the Mayor of South Dublin County Council, Mark Ward, said: “As a North Clondalkin native, I am extremely honoured to turn the sod of the new North Clondalkin Library today. I grew up 100 yards away from this site. As a young child growing up here we had no real access to libraries, you either got a bus to Ballyfermot or Clondalkin Village or relied on the mobile library service.
“This modern state-of-the-art library has the potential to lift this entire area and will be a massive benefit for residents young and old. I am particularly happy with the addition of a performance space.”
