An exciting project to create a new and improved library inDublinis well underway.
Under the project, the existing Ballyroan Library will be demolished and a new state-of-the-art library will be built in its place.
Georgina Byrne, County Librarian, South Dublin County Council, commented:
“The former Ballyroan Library was built in the 1980s and was in need of upgrading, particularly as it generated the highest user rates in the greaterDublinarea. The new Ballyroan Library will form the final part of the new community campus that Dublin County Council has created over the last three years. Located at the heart of the community, the state-of-the-art building will be an important landmark for the area.”
Main contractor for the project is MDY Construction and the architect is Box Architecture.
The new Ballyroan Library will be part single and part double-storey. Two entrances will be provided – one which will be accessed fromOrchardstown Avenueand another that will be accessed via Orchardstown Villas. This will in turn create access into a new double-height internal street, which may be used for group activities, larger exhibitions and meetings.
Covering approximately 1,400 square metres of space, the development will include a staff office on the ground floor and two seminar rooms that may be divided into separate rooms of varying sizes. The flexible rooms will also allow for interchangeable internet use, which can be used for individuals or groups accordingly in order to maximise computer usage.
On the other side of the internal street, there will be an open-plan reading room that is lit from above by roof lights. In order to create more intimate reading areas, individual and group pods will be constructed.
The lower section of the northern two-storey element will house cellular elements and the timber lining will snake in and out the areas in order to clearly indentify the regions designated for public and private use. A fully flexible children/group area will be located to the south and will be suitable for book readings and arts and crafts.
On the first floor, there will be a more private area – the ‘Long Room’ – which may be used for local research or as a private study area. Additional facilities on this floor include book storage, whilst access will be provided via a public staircase or lift.
External works will include the remodelling of the car park to the south, the planting of trees and the installation of benches so people can sit and read. In addition, the area between the street and the pods will be landscaped to provide a buffer zone, whilst on-street parking will be maintained on the perimeter of the site.
Funding for the £2.6 million project has been provided by the Irish government and South Dublin County Council.
The project is scheduled for completion in November 2012 and the new Ballyroan Library will open to the public in 2013.
