Christmas Message from the City Librarian

We know that many of you are also using MOL, My Open Library (MOL) at Pembroke, Raheny, Walkinstown and Drumcondra. With these buildings accessible 365 days a year from 8.00am – 10.00pm, they are in great demand. Be sure to check them out next year. 

2025 was momentous for the Dublin Unesco City of Literature Office with two special anniversaries. One Dublin, One Book   celebrated its 20th anniversary with a special anthology ‘Written in our Hearts’ commissioned by the Stinging Fly. The Dublin Literary Award 2025 celebrated its 30th anniversary. The award was presented by the Lord Mayor to Canadian writer, Michael Crummy for his beautiful book ‘The Adversary’

The Dublin Festival of History was celebrated in October with more than 5,000 attendees.

Great progress is being made with the delivery of the city library at Parnell Square. The builders should be on site in Q2 2026 with delivery of phase 1 of the project in 2030. We work closely with our colleagues in the Hugh Lane to ensure that momentum continues in the delivery of this extraordinary development for the citizens of Dublin and beyond.

2025 saw improvements to many of our branch libraries across the city, with painting, new heating systems, lighting and landscaping. We extended Inchicore Library at Richmond Barracks and it is a really welcoming space for all. We partner with DCC Culture Company on site. 

Plans are underway for the development of a new library at Crumlin Road. Planning permission has been granted and demolitions/site preparation completed. We hope to go to detailed design during 2026.

Library in the Community is a critical service for the City Libraries as we push beyond the boundaries of our library buildings and engage with local communities and people. During the year we worked with three Dublin Maternity Hospitals on a pilot project. The earlier children are exposed to books and reading the better! We also successfully launched a children’s literacy project in four Dublin prisons – ‘Reading For Fun’ and ‘Family Connections’ collections are specifically designed to encourage collaborative reading and library membership to the families of persons in custody. 

We know that many of you visit the libraries to attend events and we welcome this support. We had record attendances at the Healthy Ireland events and Summer Stars was an outstanding success. We love to partner with other Council colleagues and stakeholders to welcome new audiences into the library spaces so watch this space! 

Cuireann leabharlanna Chomhairle Cathrach Bhaile Átha Cliath clár saibhir ar fáil as Gaeilge agus cinntímid go ndéantar an Ghaeilge a cheiliúradh trí rannpháirtíocht a ghlacadh in imeachtaí agus tograí náisiúnta ar nós Seachtain na Gaeilge. Two of the Libraries signed up for ‘An Leabharlann Fháilteach’ pilot, a library recognition scheme for the Irish language. 

Finally, we were honoured to celebrate the Storyteller in Residence programme for a second year with Aisling Breen at more than 100 storytelling sessions. 

Books and reading are at the very heart of the library service and we encourage you to pick up a book, visit your local library or book shop. Be sure to check out the extensive suite of online resources including eBooks, ePeriodicals, eLearning and all freely available to library members – Just ASK at your local library branch. 

Best wishes for 2026.
Mairead Owens, City Librarian. 

Libraries will close from Wednesday 24 December to Thursday 1 January inclusive. Be sure to stock up on your Christmas reading material by Tuesday, 23 December. Branch Libraries reopen on Friday, 2 January 2025. More in our blog HERE.