23/04/2013
Archived item. This item is published here for historical reasons. The information below may be out of date.
Press Release * Press Release * Press Release * Press Release *
Embargoed until 11.15am Thursday 25th April
Official Opening of Ballyroan Library
by Mr. Alan Shatter, Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence
Ballyroan Library, Orchardstown Avenue, Rathfarnham
Thursday 25th April 2013 @ 11am
Taking the Shhhhhh! out of public libraries
Complete with iPad like windows and wrapped internally in American oak and sleek concrete the new public library in Ballyroan, Rathfarnham is breaking all the rules. Want to use an Apple Mac? They’ve got it. Want to use Wi Fi? They’ve got it. Want to download an ebook? They’ve got it. Want to read a paper book? They have thousands of them too! Watch the video for yourself!
And now they are planning to launch the new service using Twitter and not a pair of glasses or a bun in sight.
This new sophisticated library building challenges perceived notions of public libraries and their capacity to engage and enrich people using them.
At the heart of this library is a vision of a service which is both personal and collective, a civic hub around which communities can learn, read, enjoy our rich culture and find a welcoming space in a real 21st century library building.
Just off the internal street is a seminar room which can open up to the atrium to host large scale events. A digital training suite situated beside the seminar room provides the perfect space for organised computer tutorials, supporting digital literacy for all ages.
The specially designed art gallery and exhibition space with movable timber walls provides a wonderful platform for a wide variety of exhibitions. Currently on display is an exhibition of textiles entitled “Nature†by Members of the Crafts Council of Ireland; the work reflecting both the natural environment – its colour, texture, pattern and form – and the talents of the textile artists living and working in Ireland today.
For individuals and small study groups there are semi-private timber clad pods lining the edge of the library, each illuminated by daylight from above.
Upstairs the ‘Long Room’ provides a quiet space for research and study and the entire building is dotted with computer terminals offering information resources and high speed internet. The entire building is also Wi-Fi enabled.
Ballyroan Library is truly a public library experience unlike any other. A beautiful modern 1,500sq ft. building with state of the art facilities, this library provides a welcoming space for all members of the community and their diverse interests. Since its re-opening on Monday 18th February, this community has embraced their new library with record visitor numbers. Don’t take our word for it…come along to the official opening on Thursday 25th April at 11am and experience Ballyroan Library for yourself.
Contact: Ms Georgina Byrne, County Librarian
Telephone: 01-4597834
Email: georginabyrne@sdublincoco.ie
Facebook: Ballyroan Library
Twitter: @SDCCLibraries