Ask a Librarian service

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5th May 2022

Got a question? Need help with something? Your friendly Dublin City Librarians are here and eager to help answer your questions online and in real time.

While we may not be able to answer your questions on quantum physics or the meaning of life, we can help you with all things library. So whether you're looking for assistance with our online resources, book or author suggestions, or if you have any questions about our current opening arrangements, get in touch using the online chat and we'll do our best to answer your questions.

How it works:

During the hours of 10am-12pm and 2-4pm, Monday to Friday, simply click on the chat icon on the bottom right of the Libraries' homepage and dublincity.spydus.ie and type your question into the online chat box that appears, and one our team will get back to you straight away.

Outside of these hours, you can leave a message and your email address and we’ll get back to you.

Accessing eResources

Our eResources, including ebooks, audio books, music and magazines are available 24/7.

To start using our eResources all you need is an email address, your Dublin City library card number and a PIN number.

If you haven't got a library card, you can join online and you will get a temporary number which gives you access to a limited range of the most popular eResources;  BorrowBox, Pressreader, Universal Class and Transparent Languages Online. 

To access our full range of eResources including comics, more online learning, databases, encyclopedias, dictionaries and more, simply call into your local library with photo ID and proof of address and we will upgrade you to full library membership.

Ask a Librarian poster

Ask-a-Librarian, Monday to Friday, 10am-12pm and 2-4pm.

Tags:
libraries & archive news
10 Comments
Brian Sheahan
1 year ago
Dear Librarian,
I am looking to join a German discussion group. Are you aware of a library in south Dublin that holds such a group?
Many thanks,
Brian Sheahan
Gillian
1 year ago
Hi Brian, apologies we are not running a German language group at the moment. You could try https://www.meetup.com/german-516/ or the Goethe Institut.
Stephen Keeley
1 year ago
Hi I live in Wicklow and I have a card for my local library
Can I subscribe/ join Dublin City Library?
Gillian
1 year ago
Hi Stephen, yes you can also join Dublin City Libraries. You can join online https://lgma.iii.com/selfreg You'll get a temporary library number and you can set up a library PIN. With those, you'll be able to access the online services at www.librariesireland.ie/elibrary straightaway. To upgrade to full membership you can call into one of our libraries. If you are finding it difficult to get into a library, contact us on our Ask-a-Librarian service Mon-Fri 10am - 1pm and 2pm-5pm (icon on bottom right of our homepage www.dublincitylibraries.ie)
Patrick Argot
1 year ago
I would like to join a Roumain language class if there is in city centre librairie. Can someone help Me to find . Thanks a lot.
Gillian
1 year ago
Hello Patrick, we don't have any Romanian language classes at the moment but we have free online language learning resources. Find out more https://www.dublincity.ie/library/blog/learn-new-language-online-resources
Susanna Taylor
1 year ago
How can I request that the library order a DVD.
Gillian
1 year ago
Hi Susanna, if you cannot find the DVD you are looking for on our online catalogue https://dublincity.spydus.ie/ please contact your local library with your purchase suggestion. Here is a list of our libraries and their contact details: https://www.dublincity.ie/residential/libraries/find-library
Deborah Kirk
11 months ago
Hello, I'm visiting Dublin soon and I am trying to find some reference books for Morgans School Castle Knock in the 1880s
Would any of the libraries have anything. (My great grandmother was married from there)
Thank you.
Gillian
11 months ago
Hello Deborah,

We have some books on Castleknock History in Dublin City Libraries and you could try the following resources:

The National Library of Ireland for Parish records and Genealogy Advisory Service www.nli.ie

Free Genealogy Advisory Service – The National Archives of Ireland https://www.nationalarchives.ie/

Pastimes in Past Times, « Blanchardstown-Castleknock History Society (wordpress.com) https://blanchardstowncastleknockhistorysociety.wordpress.com/heritage-week-2018/

Irish Genealogy - https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/en/

Good luck with your search