Donabate Portrane Community Library provides latest technology to borrowers

Fingal County Library

Mayor of Fingal Cllr Kieran Dennison officially opened newest library in Donabate

Mayor of Fingal Cllr Kieran Dennison officially opened Fingal County Councils newest library branch, Donabate Portrane Community Library, at the Donabate Portrane Community & Leisure Centre on Wednesday 30th April. The delivery of the Councils newest library provides the full range of services, from a collection of lending material including books, CDs, DVDs, Prints and gaming, to programmes of events for adults and children, free WiFi and substantial IT resources to the 9000 strong community in the region.

Designed as a community space to meet the educational, cultural, and leisure needs of the public, AnnMarie Farrelly, Director of Services, commented "This new project is unique as it is the first co-location of a public library with a community and leisure centre in Ireland thereby maximising the efficient use of existing space. This allows us to deliver a sustainable community library to the residents on the Donabate Portrane peninsula."

Official opening of Donabate Portrane Library

Librarian Enid Bebbington, Senior Executive Librarian Yvonne O’Brien, Mayor Kieran Dennison, County Manager Paul Reid, Director of Services Ann Marie Farrelly

Official opening of Donabate Portrane Library

Librarian Enid Bebbington, Senior Executive Librarian Yvonne O’Brien, Mayor Kieran Dennison, County Manager Paul Reid, Director of Services Ann Marie Farrelly

Enlarge image

Fingal Libraries services are free of charge and has a collective total of 157,403 registered borrowers in 2013 with 1,077,122 transactions from its 9 libraries servicing the Fingal area. “I am very proud that Fingal County Council has one of the highest library memberships in the country. We also have one of the most innovative and proactive library services” said Mayor of Fingal Cllr Kieran Dennison.

Already a great success, the new library opened its doors on Monday April 14^th last and within the first fortnight had 2124 visitors and recorded 3,640 transactions. “This library, housed within the Donabate Portrane Community & Leisure Centre and located in the centre of the schools campus in Donabate is set to become the heart of the community, accessible to all”, said Yvonne O’Brien, Senior Executive Librarian with Fingal. Laid out over one floor, the library is bright, modern and spacious with comfortable seating for studying or reading. Borrowers will be able to borrow items using state of the art ‘Self Service Totems’ and use other technologies such as an interactive Smart Board in the quiet room. In addition to what is on offer in this new library, members can also avail of the wide range of online Library services on a 24/7 basis, including book renewals and reservations, free ebooks, downloadable audio books, educational and language courses.