Look-back at 2023: #MyDublinLibrary
Published on 7th December 2023
We're taking a look at our favourite memories this year.
We'd also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who visited our libraries, came to our events, and showed their support for public libraries.
Thanks to all the people who interact with us via our helpdesk and on social media. We appreciate you taking the time to give us valuable feedback that helps us to improve our service.
Public libraries are not just about books. We give everyone a warm welcome.
Your local library is a community hub. Our library staff are the heart of our libraries.
A massive thank you to the hard-working crew at Dublin City Libraries!
Here are the highlights of our year:
New Library for Finglas
We repurposed a former An Post sorting office to create the new library in Finglas village.
Plans for Ringsend Library
A planning application under Part 8 of the Planning and Development Regulations was lodged for Ringsend Library on in November. Information boards are available for everyone to view in Ringsend Library as part of the public consultation process. Closing date for submissions: 18 Jan 2024.
City Library Project
The City Library at Parnell Square will deliver 5,500 square metres of modern, bright open spaces for reading and lending, as well as a variety of spaces for studying, working, meeting, creating and performing. Facilities will include a welcoming library for children and young adults, a makerspace, meeting rooms and study spaces, as well as a multi-purpose conference centre, a café and exhibition areas.
Demolition works on the existing Amharclann building are complete and the construction phase begins next year. Watch a time lapse video showing the progress on site during 2023:
10 day loan
Popular books without the wait. Our short loan collection is a great way to beat long reserve queues on bestsellers. Drop into your local library and see what's available and then borrow your chosen book for 10 days. This special collection of popular books cannot be renewed or reserved.
Creative Hubs
Creative Hubs sustain free year-round multi-disciplinary arts experiences for children, schools and families to access in their Library and locality, through partnership and engagement. The new Central Library Creative Hub especially welcomes engagement and participation from parents, creches and schools in D1 area. Creative Hubs are an initiative of DCC Arts Office and Dublin City Libraries, delivered by The Ark. More on past events here: Creative Hubs: Children's Art in Libraries.
Living Room in the City
The Dublin Room at Pearse Street Library got a makeover! You've heard of a library in a sitting room. How about a sitting room in the library! Welcome to visit and relax, work, or study.
Virtual tours
We're delighted to share our 3D virtual videos showcasing select libraries with sensory services and facilities. We hope the tours will help visitors navigate the library space and services to prepare for their visit. Familiarising yourself with the library space in advance of a visit helps neurodivergent people and people with mobility issues. It helps both parents and teachers of autistic children to plan their visits and build confidence together.
If you need LIBRARY support or have a question about the service get in contact with us here: [email protected].
Library in the Community
Our friendly Library in the Community team (connect and give them a like on Facebook - @LibraryInTheCommunity) manage deliveries to housebound borrowers, meet community groups to talk about library resources, organise pop-up libraries around the city, and look after the Library Locker. Their main aim is to go out into the community and let people know about all the amazing things available in their library, both in branch and online. If your group or organisation is interested in a library resource presentation or hosting a book collection please contact: [email protected].
Sky Blue Stars: The Dublin GAA Activity Book
In September, we launched a Children’s Literacy Project in Croke Park in collaboration with the Dublin GAA County Board for 6th class children from schools in the Dublin City Council area. This exciting new book contains literacy and numeracy puzzles on a GAA theme.
Games Clubs
Our new gaming programmes for teens are primarily social events. They are as much about fun, socialising and relationship building as gameplay. There also offer opportunities to learn and gain new experiences.
Little Library book bags
We loved gifting My Little Library Book Bag to every child starting school in 2023 to help them to prepare for this big step.
Books at Bedtime
Another national initiative saw us gifting a free bedtime story book for all children, 4 years of age and under. The gifting of books ensures that babies and young children will grow up with books in their home. Parents can choose a bedtime story book in either English or Irish. Whilst signing them up to library membership is key to ensuring they have a lifetime of access to books.
Lámh Introductory Workshops
Lámh is a manual sign system and the recognised sign system for children and adults with communications support needs in Ireland. We were delighted to offer Little Lámh Workshops in selected libraries during 2023. These introductory workshops were specially designed for families, friends and professionals who are interested in learning a small number of Lámh signs for use in home and school. Participants received a book with practical advice and illustrations of the 26 signs.
ScanEZ: FREE scanning and multilingual translation service
In Pearse St and the Central Library you can now scan or import documents and then print, edit, translate using ScanEZ. You can also scan and restore old, faded photos and documents. The Multilingual Translation Service covers up to one hundred languages in both text and audio. ABBYY® Fine Reader Embedded OCR engine recognizes 192 languages.
Makerspace
If you are interested in making and creating, Coolock Library Makerspaces provide the tools, support and environment you need. They supply tools like 3D printers, laser cutter, software, electronics, sewing machines and craft supplies. More importantly, they also provide support and access to knowledge, and give you the space to be creative. Browse our #makerspace events here.
Dublin Festival of History
The Dublin Festival of History was celebrated in October with more than 5,000 attendees. The festival has built a reputation for shining a fresh perspective on history and its importance in our everyday lives, attracting eminent Irish and international historians to Dublin for history talks and debate each Autumn.
The festival is brought to you by Dublin City Council, and organised by Dublin City Libraries, in partnership with the Dublin City Council Culture Company.
City of Literature
In April we all read The Coroner's Daughter by Andrew Hughes #1dublin1book.
Marzahn, Mon Amour by Katja Oskamp (translated by Jo Heinrich) won the prestigious Dublin Literary Award in May.
Happy Christmas to all our borrowers and good wishes for 2024!
Thanks for your support of libraries, especially during the past few years.
We look forward to announcing lots of exciting new services and programmes in the New Year!
Our year at a glance: some key figures and statistics below.
