Book lovers’ delight as Kevin Street Library finally reopens

ALMOST 800 new members have joined and 10,000 items have been borrowed since the revamped Kevin Street Library reopened to the public in July, it has been revealed.

The popularity of the city centre library was highlighted at the official reopening last week that took place after a closure of almost five years.

Used by generations of Dubliners, young and old, the newly refurbished library has undergone a sensitive restoration and redesign project by Dublin City Council Architects at a cost of €3.9 million. A vital part of the community in this area of the city and its reopening has been warmly welcomed by local residents. The library was officially reopened by Minister for Rural & Community Development, Michael Ring in the presence of the Lord Mayor, Nial Ring.

Kevin Street Library first opened in 1904 and was the fourth public library in Dublin. It closed to the public in 2013 for much needed renovation and modernisation. The new Kevin Street Library has been reimagined for the 21st century, containing a spacious public library and inner reading room. To the rear of the building is a bright and animated children’s library equipped with a fun slide. 

These exciting changes to the library have already resulted in high engagement with the public, as almost 800 new borrowers and 1,500 renewed library accounts have been logged since reopening to the public in late July. Almost 10,000 items have been borrowed from Kevin Street Library by the public so far over the same period of time.

A key requirement of the restoration project was to protect and care for many original features of the building. Dublin City Council Architects coordinated the conservation and res-toration project, which included the preservation of Victorian roof glazing, window openers, cupola and weather vane, exterior brick work, fireplaces and interior wood panelling.

Commenting on the official reopening, the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Nial Ring, said: “It is great to see Kevin Street Library opened again and welcoming so many members, new and old, through its doors. The response from the public since the reopening shows what an important part of the local community this library is. Dubliners have been using this library since it first opened in 1904 and with this beautiful restoration and modernisation we can be sure that future generations will have the benefit of this facility for many years to come.”

Major improvements have been made to ensure the building is welcoming to all members of the public with the introduction of ramps, accessible restrooms and a lift to all levels, including a new floor containing nine PCs, a study space and a mezzanine with special collections. It also includes an exhibition space, which currently hosts ‘My Place, a Portrait’, a project created by local secondary students and photographers and coordinated by Dublin Culture Connects.