As Gaeilge
How can I join the library? Can I join online?
If you live or work in Dublin City or County you can join at any branch of Dublin City Public Libraries. Adult residents listed on the Register of Electors for Dublin City or County, and commercial ratepayers to Dublin City Council or Dublin County Council (South Dublin, Fingal or Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Councils), not so registered, may join on their own guarantee subject to production of evidence of personal identification and residency or of their being commercial ratepayers. Two forms of identification are required. One must be a recent proof of name and permanent Dublin address, e.g. utility bill, bank statement. The second form of identification is for name only e.g. bankcard, student card, passport etc. If you are under the age of eighteen years you require the signature of a parent or guardian. Pick up an application form at your local library.
Registering yourself online is a quick way to become a member of your local library. Upon registering, you will receive a temporary borrower number, after which you have 3 months to call to your local library with 2 forms of identification to collect your new library card. Registering online enables you to reserve one item immediately and collect it later at the branch of your choice.
Is there a library membership fee?
No. Membership is free, but there are nominal charges for printing and photocopying.
I don’t live in Dublin, but I work there – can I still join the library?
Yes. Adult applicants for membership who are not resident in Dublin City or County or who are not commercial ratepayers to Dublin City Council, South Dublin, Fingal or Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Councils, will require their application to be guaranteed by a person who is entitled to join on their own guarantee.
What can I borrow from the library?
You can borrow books, cassettes, CDs, DVDs and videos. You can borrow 12 items on an adult ticket, and 6 on a junior ticket.
How can I keep library items for longer without having to pay fines?
You can renew items for a further period by phone, post, by on-line renew or in person. To renew items, please give the number above the bar-code on the item, or give the number of your membership card. You cannot renew an item that is reserved by someone else, or where its renewal limit has been reached.
Can I reserve library material?
You may reserve library materials from your local branch that are currently on loan or materials only available in another branch. To reserve online, you need your library borrower number along with your Personal Identification Number (PIN). If you don't know your PIN, please call to your local library. There is a charge of 50c per item reserved.
BorrowBooks.ie may be used to search the online catalogues and websites of Irish public libraries and reserve material not held by Dublin City Public Libraries.
Material not available through the Irish public library network may be sourced elsewhere. A charge of €5.00 will be applied to items supplied from the British Library.
How can I contact Dublin City Public Libraries?
For general enquiries please contact
Administrative Headquarters,
Dublin City Library & Archive,
138-144 Pearse Street,
Dublin 2.
Tel.: (01) 6744800
Fax: (01) 6744879 (Administration) (01) 6744880 (Management)
Email: dublinpubliclibraries@dublincity.ie
Contact details for your local library.
What are the opening times for the branch libraries? What about holiday arrangements?
Opening times vary. Check individual branches for details.
Holiday arrangements vary. Dublin City Public Libraries closes for a number of days over the Christmas and Easter periods; and on St. Patrick's Day and bank holidays (e.g. Bank Holiday Mondays, libraries close on the Monday and preceding Saturday).
Check the library homepage, opening hours and library noticeboards for details of particular holiday arrangements.
Can I check my library membership record online?
You can check your personal record online if you have a PIN. This number prevents unauthorised people from gaining access to your record. If you do not have a PIN, call in to any branch and you will be assigned one.
How do I get a PIN?
Present your library card at any branch and you will be assigned a PIN. It is important that you attend in person so that your identity can be verified. This is to prevent unauthorised people from gaining access to your personal record.
Can I renew library items online?
Items can be renewed on-line using your PIN number, provided they are not requested by another borrower. Your PIN number prevents unauthorised persons accessing your individual borrower record. If you do not have a PIN number please call to any branch, where you will be assigned one.
Quick Renew is a new online service that allows you to renew all items on your library card automatically.
Can I reserve items online?
Items can be reserved on-line using your PIN number. Your PIN number prevents unauthorised persons accessing your individual borrower record. If you do not have a PIN number please call to any branch, where you will be assigned one. There is a charge of 50c per item reserved.
Can I access the Internet in my library?
Dublin City Public Libraries provides free broadband and wireless access to the Internet in its network of branch libraries. Contact your local library to find out more about using our internet service, see our Internet usage policy and our Internet booking procedures.
Can I learn how to use computers in the library?
Yes. Dublin City Public Libraries has a programme called 'Websmart' that is free to customers. This involves Internet demonstrations/illustrated lectures and the provision of individual and small group workshops for members of the public, using the extensive network of Public Internet Access Points located in branch libraries throughout the City. Contact your local library for details.
Can I search the catalogue online?
Yes. The online catalogue may be searched by author, title or keyword. The catalogue will tell you the format (i.e. paperback, talking book, etc.), the branch location, and if the item is available or on loan.
Where is the Dublin City Library and Archive?
The Dublin City Library & Archive is located south of the River Liffey at 138-144 Pearse Street, between Sandwith Street Upper and Erne Street Upper, Dublin 2. It is a fifteen-minute walk from College Green and can easily be reached by bus numbers 2 & 3, which stop outside the library, or by Dart or Arrow train to Pearse Station, Westland Row. Car parking facilities are limited to on-street pay-and-display parking.
What kind of information is available in the Dublin City Archives?
Dublin City Archives contains records of the civic government of Dublin from 1171 to the late 20th century. These records include City Council and committee minutes, account books, correspondence, reports, court records, charity petitions, title deeds, maps and plans and drawings all of which document the development of Dublin over eight centuries.
How do I register for a Library Research Card?
[Pertains to the Reading Room, Dublin City Library and Archive, Pearse Street. D.2]
A Research Card can be obtained by filling out an application form, available at the Reading Room issue desk. Please bring along photographic identification such as Passport; Driving Licence; Student Card; Social Welfare Identity Card; Work ID; National ID Cards (where applicable) to aid the registration process. A valid Dublin City Public Libraries’ Borrower’s card is also acceptable as ID to obtain the Research Card. Research Cards are valid for a period of 3 years from the date of issue.
Can I borrow books and archive material from the Reading Room?
[Pertains to the Reading Room, Dublin City Library & Archive, 138-144 Pearse Street, only]
Library and archive material cannot be borrowed or removed from the Reading Room. Collections can be accessed by filling out request forms at the Issue desk and can be viewed in the Reading Room only.
Can I view old newspapers?
Current issues of newspapers are available in a number of branch libraries. Current and back issues of a number of titles (hardcopy) as well as a number on microfilm and online, can be accessed in the Business Information Centre, Central Library, Ilac Centre, Dublin 1.
Dublin City Library and Archive holds a wide range of newspapers in hardcopy and on microfilm ranging in date from the eighteenth century to the present day. Current and recent issues of newspapers are not available for viewing for a period of six months.
The Irish Times Digital Archive is available online and free of charge for Internet users at all branches of Dublin City Public Libraries through www.askaboutireland.ie. The digital archive contains the entire The Irish Times from the first edition in 1859 to the present.
Can I get information on local history and tracing my family tree?
Yes. The Dublin and Irish Local Studies Collection includes new and second-hand material on Dublin City and County covering a range of books, newspapers, periodicals, photographs, maps, prints, drawings, theatre programmes, playbills, posters, ballad sheets, audiovisual materials and ephemera. Given the status of the City of Dublin as the capital city of the Republic of Ireland, the City Library collections extend to subjects of national interest and include books and other materials relating to Ireland, by Irish authors, or in the Irish language. The collection includes sources for family history and advice on tracing your family tree.
Can I get information on starting my own business?
Yes. The Business Information Centre is a reference service run by Dublin City Public Libraries, specialising in company and market research information. The Centre holds books, directories, Irish Government Legislation, business magazines, electronic services, newspapers and has a collection of Irish company reports. The Centre has extensive information on starting a Business, and facilitates Start Your Own Business programmes on a bi-annual basis, usually in the Spring and again in the Autumn. These programmes are run by the Dublin City Enterprise Board in partnership with Dublin City Council.
The Centre is located in the Central Library, ILAC Centre, Henry Street, Dublin 1.
Can I get accreditation for the courses I complete in the library?
You can earn a Certificate of Course Completion (signed by your Branch Librarian and the City Librarian) after 50 hours of learning related to a specific programme, such as a Linguaphone Course. The Open Learning Centre has information about the Institute of Linguists Examinations.
Does the library provide self-learning opportunities?
Many branch libraries provide computer and language learning facilities, short courses, talks and demonstrations. The Open Learning Centre in the Central Library has a wide range of self-learning courses and facilities. Find out more about learning opportunities in Dublin City Libraries.
Does the library have a home delivery service?
The Mobile Library Service provides a home delivery service. They can be contacted at Mobile Library Headquarters, Cabra Library, Navan Road, Dublin 7.
Tel: 00-353-1-8691415
Fax: 00-353-1-8691412
Email: mobilelibraries@dublincity.ie
What if I lose my library membership card?
Report the loss of your card to your local branch library. When you call in to the branch, you can fill out a membership card replacement form, and be issued with a new card. Your borrower information, including outstanding loans or requests will be transferred to the new card.
What if I lose an item borrowed from the library?
If you lose an item you will be expected to pay for it, or supply us with a new copy in good condition. You will also have to pay any fines and postage incurred before you report it missing. If you have lost and paid for an item, and then find it, you can return it to the library for a refund.
What happens if I don’t return library items on time?
Items not returned on time, and not renewed, will be subject to a fine. The fine is 50c per week or part of a week on books, music cassettes and CDs, plus any postage incurred in getting them back. On DVDs the fine is 75c per night plus postage. If the total of fines due reaches €15 you will not be permitted to borrow any more items until the fine is paid. Paying in instalments can be discussed with your local branch manager. You can avoid paying fines by renewing your items in person, by phone, by post or by renewing on-line.
I would like to discuss the books I read with other people. Do you have a Reading Club/Group?
There are a growing number of Readers Groups that meet in, or are affiliated to, the Public Libraries. Most meet once a month to discuss their reading in a lively and informal atmosphere. Find out more about Reading Groups in Dublin City Libraries.
Are there public toilet facilities in my branch library?
Toilet facilities are available for public use in Ballyfermot, Ballymun, Cabra, Drumcondra, Pearse Street, Pembroke, Raheny, Rathmines and Walkinstown libraries. Public facilities are available near the libraries in the ILAC Centre, Finglas Shopping Centre and Donaghmede Shopping Centre.