'An oasis in our communities': Councillors hail new library plans
The major strides made in developing Dublin city libraries have been praised by councillors as a shining example of what local government can achieve.
At Monday’s monthly meeting of Dublin City Council, local representatives voiced their support for ‘Libraries Unbound: A Development Plan for Dublin City Council Libraries: 2025-2029.’ This aims to expand study spaces, digital access, outreach work, and community events hosted by Dublin libraries.
Councillor Ray Cunningham commended the way the report managed to expand upon library offerings without changing what they are at their core. “Libaries are community spaces yes, but also quiet places free from distraction,” he said.
“They are a place where people can get a book, sit down, and lose themselves for a couple hours. That’s such a valuable thing in today’s city.” With construction set to begin on a new library for Drimnagh and Crumlin , Cllr Cunningham praised the Council’s support of these local amenities.
With the importance of the Irish language as a key tenet of the library plan, Cllr Cat O’Driscoll highlighted the way librarians go above and beyond to host events as Gaeilge. “We are here behind all of the staff within the libraries, I know they get criticism and abuse from a small group within the city and that’s really unfair,” she said.
Another key strand of the plan is digital access and inclusion, as, in a world that’s increasingly online, it’s important to provide services that ensure elderly citizens do not fall behind. This was highlighted by Cllr Darragh Moriarity who described libraries as “a touch point in the community” that can help “bridge the gap” for digital education needs for all.
Cllr Donna Cooney spoke about the important role of libraries within society throughout the years, as they acted as one of the few places citizens could access the internet before everyone had Wi-Fi in their pockets. She highlighted a new library branch being opened in Marino, Fairview, as particularly exciting for that community.
With over 113,000 people attending library events in 2024, Cllr Daithí Doolan described libraries as “an oasis in our communities, particularly for the disadvantaged and marginalised." He stated that libraries are essential to building “strong, safe, and welcoming” communities.
Cllr Mannix Flynn too spoke about the way libraries foster inclusivity and said he’s been delighted to witness people of all nationalised studying and learning together in Dublin city libraries. “Not only is it a service, but it’s a safe space for social gatherings,” he said.
The social benefits of libraries were also highlighted by Cllr Jesslyn Henry who said Coolock Library “has been my safe space since I was a child.” She praised the services provided, as everything from “knitting clubs to movie days” offer a sense of belonging to those who need it.
With libraries as a place that encourage empathy, outreach, and accessibility, Cllr Fiona Connolly praised the way they invited people to explore “different worlds, different perspectives.” While Cllr Clodagh Ní Mhuirí highlighted the home delivery service as a particularly inclusive offering, while also requesting an even stronger focus on assisting the visually impaired.
The current Libraries Unbound plan has a strong focus on digital literacy, local events, and community outreach, which Cllr Gayle Ralph praised as “a forward-looking strategy that really recognizes that libraries are at the heart of our community.”
In summation, Lord Mayor Cllr Ray McAdam reflected on attending the recent opening of the refurbished library in Inchicore as a highlight of his term. “When you open a library you send a message to that community that they matter. At a time when the world can feel divided, libraries remind us of what we all share,” he said.
This content is funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme