2005 was a year of celebration for public libraries in the city. The first libraries opened in Dublin when Dublin City Council adopted the Public Libraries (1855) Act. The appointment of the first City Librarian, Roisin Walsh, in 1931 marked the beginnings of the Dublin City Public Library system. Its Headquarters, including the Office of the City Librarian, are now in Pearse Street.

The Pearse Street library building was purpose-built in 1908, costing £10,000, part of which was provided by a grant from the Carnegie (United Kingdom) Trust. The building was designed by the City Architect, Charles J. McCarthy, who favoured the classical style of 18th-century Dublin building. The contractor was George Langley of Ringsend Road.

To help promote Irish industries, it was decided that only native materials should be used in the construction, and local tradesmen and labourers employed. The newspaper room was the first section to open, in December 1911, followed by the lending library and reference room. The children’s room occupied the first floor, and this very large, well-lighted space was also used for lectures.

Pearse Street library building was completely restored by Dublin City Council from 2000 to 2003. The newly-refurbished and extended building houses the City Archives dating from the 12th century. The library also features the Dublin Collection, including Dublin and daily newspapers and periodicals, dating from the eighteenth century.

Newspapers are collected on an ongoing basis and are available to the public in bound form and on microfilm. The Irish Collection is a major information source on Irish local studies and includes material on Irish authors, Irish language, Irish genealogy and family history.

For the researcher, the genealogist and the casual inquirer– in fact anyone with an interest in Dublin– the 100 seater Public Reading Room on the second floor offers a perfect opportunity to browse the diversity of the City’s past– through book, manuscript, map, photograph, newspaper and journal collections– and through the official records of the city, contained in the archives of Dublin Corporation. A new conference room and exhibition area are used to hold talks, seminars and meetings, to show films, to hold storytelling and other activities for children.

Ringsend library was developed by Dublin Corporation as one of its suburban branch libraries encircling the city. It was completed and opened in October 1937.

The library maintains its wonderful community spirit, with staff and readers on first name terms, where there is constant sharing of information, ideas and opinions on all matters and especially on books.

As well as reading matters, the staff try to answer information requests on a wide range of subjects i.e. where can I do yoga classes? Where is the Health Centre? Can I have a list of local councillors? Where do I go for planning permission?

The library has also developed links with the local schools and community organisations.

Homework continues to be done on the premises most afternoons, not to mention all the colouring, drawing and board games played.

The Internet is heavily booked as in all the libraries, especially by new multi-cultural clients, bringing a cosmopolitan atmosphere to the library.

Pembroke Library was officially opened on 27th September 1929, with the writer Frank O’Connor (Michael O’Donovan) as its chief librarian. As well as a talented writer, Frank proved himself to be an energetic and progressive librarian.

With his assistant librarian, he introduced a wide range of activities to the library which were many years ahead of their time, including talks, storytelling, drama, a foreign language collection, music and a children’s choir. His office also played host on many occasions to such literary guests as Yeats, George Russel and Lennox Robinson.

In 1931, the Pembroke Township was taken over by Dublin Corporation as part of the extension of the city boundaries, and Pembroke Library became a Dublin city branch library.

To find out more about the services offered in Dublin City Libraries, including opening times of your nearest branch, go to www.dublincitylibraries.ie