Ardkeen Library

Chatting in the Library

Customers chatting and relaxing in Ardkeen Library

Courtesy of Waterford City Library Services

Chatting in the Library
Courtesy of Waterford City Library Services

Chatting in the Library

Customers chatting and relaxing in Ardkeen Library

Courtesy of Waterford City Library Services

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The Ardkeen Branch of Waterford City Council Library Services is located on the Dunmore Road in the Ardkeen Shopping Centre. This branch was officially opened on 12th June 2002. During the first four weeks from the date of opening the Library attracted up to one hundred new members a day. The cost of this branch was €1.3m.

The overwhelming demand for membership of Waterford City's Ardkeen Library proved beyond a doubt the great need for such a facility to cater for the Dunmore Road areas growing population. Ardkeen Library, which is open six days a week boasts a stock of 16,000 books and 2,000 non-book items such as CDs, audio books, educational videos and language tapes.

Ardkeen Library Internet Classes

Internet classes in progress at Ardkeen Library during Bealtaine Festival

Courtesy of Waterford City Library Services

Ardkeen Library Internet Classes
Courtesy of Waterford City Library Services

Ardkeen Library Internet Classes

Internet classes in progress at Ardkeen Library during Bealtaine Festival

Courtesy of Waterford City Library Services

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Ardkeen Library Reference

Reference area in Ardkeen Library which was opened in 2002

Courtesy of Waterford City Library Services

Ardkeen Library Reference
Courtesy of Waterford City Library Services

Ardkeen Library Reference

Reference area in Ardkeen Library which was opened in 2002

Courtesy of Waterford City Library Services

Enlarge image

The library provides adult, young adult and children's book lending and has a reference collection, study area, audio listening area and dedicated children's area. Other facilities include three children's PCs with Internet access under parental guidance and eight adult PCs. with free Internet access.

The Library was designed by Waterford City Council's Architect's Department under the leadership of Rupert Maddock and Sean McLoughlin.

The interior mural depicting an abstract view of the history of Waterford was designed and painted by two local artists, Maeve Tumulty and Ruth Aherne. Apart from being fully accessible to people with disabilities, the new library has a community information display and an electronic notice board, which enables the Library's website and community information to be displayed to the public.

Mayor of Waterford Ald. Hilary Quinlan, who officially opened the new library branch said it encapsulated what a modern library should be. " This library is a community space where people of all ages can relax and find information on many subjects and in may formats. It addresses the educational as well as the leisure and community needs of this growing and vibrant suburb of our modern city."

The Ardkeen Branch won the Small Converted Library Category in the 2003 Public Library Building Awards, presented by the UK based Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals. The library was judged on architectural sensitivity, library services and community awareness.