Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Half a million books to be moved and €10m spent to preserve National Library collections

Current storage conditions put some collections at fire risk.

TheJournal.ie / YouTube

THERE ARE PLANS to spend €10 million and move over half a million books at the National Library of Ireland in order to preserve the State’s collections.

Arts Minister Heather Humphries announced the redevelopment which will also see the Library’s west wing made into a public space.

The money is being sent to ensure the protection of books in the Victorian-era segment of the Library where collections are currently kept in tight spaces and are exposed to potential fire risks, including uncovered wires.

Environment conditions such as dampness and dirt are harming the books, according to Dr Sandra Collins, director of the National Library, who also said she is delighted about the announcement.

Speaking at the launch today, Humphreys said, “This investment will help transform the Library into a world-class facility for the storage and display of some of our most important historical documents.”

She added that the redevelopment will “upgrade existing storage facilities” and “address fire safety concerns”, as well as improving visitor areas.

The project is in partnership with the National Library, the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltach, and the Office of Public Works (OPW), and will see the introduction of a new exhibition area, lecture room, cafe and retail space over four years.

“It’s a big undertaking,” Dr Collins told TheJournal.ie.

For us in the library there is half a million books to take out of the space that we’ll be renovating, and that’s not a small job at all.

She added, “But we know it’s for the good of the collections and will give us another hundred years. This is an investment for the long-term future.”

She said that this means that “collections of greats like Yeats, Heaney and Joyce and the published legacy, really the story of Ireland – every book that has been published in the state – that these will be safe for generations to come”.

Named ‘Reimagining the National Library’ the project will take four years to complete.

The National Library will continue to be open throughout redevelopment with the Main and Manuscript Reading Rooms being closed every Monday from 14 August.

Read: The National Gallery of Ireland reopens its historic wings after multi-million revamp >

More: Painting of eyes of Irish writers and poets donated to National Library of Ireland >

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
6 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gavin Tobin
    Favourite Gavin Tobin
    Report
    Jul 11th 2022, 7:18 PM

    “Aged 16, his mother bought him a guitar, having knocked the seller’s price down from £17 to £15, and he soon found the music of the Beatles and Eric Clapton.”

    He was born in 1928 so he soon found the music of the Beatles & Clapton that would have been in 1944 when Lennon was 3 or 4, McCartney was 2 or 3 and Clapton was a foetus…LoL

    103
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Barry Evans
    Favourite Barry Evans
    Report
    Jul 11th 2022, 8:33 PM

    @Gavin Tobin: soon is a pretty relative term. Like for instance if you’re heading out on a Saturday night and ask the missus when she’ll finally decide on what outfit to wear and she says “soon” lol

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Muller
    Favourite Muller
    Report
    Jul 11th 2022, 6:19 PM

    RIP Norman & thank you

    67
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute George J Stephens
    Favourite George J Stephens
    Report
    Jul 11th 2022, 7:51 PM

    looking well for 94

    38
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mike Hurrell
    Favourite Mike Hurrell
    Report
    Jul 12th 2022, 12:47 AM

    And the lazy gen Z remedial class reporters here, couldn’t even be arsed to put up a link to his music!

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Charles McCarthy
    Favourite Charles McCarthy
    Report
    Jul 12th 2022, 8:43 PM
    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute lelookcoco
    Favourite lelookcoco
    Report
    Jul 11th 2022, 9:28 PM

    Monty Gone. Wait, is he not a gardener?

    3
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds