3 days ago
Plans unveiled for Tipperary's new flagship library
This site on Emmett Street is the main cultural and administrative centre of Clonmel and is situated in the wider town centre area. It is located on the route between Mick Delahunty Square and The Kickham Barracks Quarter.
The Council Civic Offices, Tipperary Museum of Hidden History and the Clonmel Swimming Pool are all adjacent to the proposed library site.
The current library in Clonmel has served the citizens of Tipperary for nearly four decades.
'However, the building is very dated and presents difficulties in terms of offering a high-quality library service,' said a spokesperson.
The new library will be built over three floors. It will be a flexible and adaptable space which will embrace new and emerging technologies. It will be a meeting place for people and will be the flagship branch library for Tipperary County Council.
New services and facilities will include a digital room, maker-space, exhibition and performance space, gallery, lecture room, sensory space, a podcasting and creative studio, along with dedicated study spaces.
The new library will be over 2,000 sqm, which will be more than four times larger than the current library and will be very similar in scale to the new Central Mayfair Library in Kilkenny and the new Central Library in Ennis.
The project has received €3m in grant funding under the Library Capital Programme, Department of Rural and Community Development and Tipperary County Council appointed a design team to complete a full design for this new Library.
It is planned to bring this project through the planning process which will include public consultation.
Pat English, Mayor of Clonmel Borough, said: 'The benefits of this new landmark library will be felt throughout the region. This new library will be a vital part of the redevelopment of the town centre.'
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Brian Beck, director of services, said: 'A new library in Clonmel built in the centre of the town is a vital project for the citizens of Clonmel and the wider region. These development marks an exciting phase in the regeneration of civic spaces of distinction and value within Clonmel.'
Tipperary County Council Library Service has a network of 12 branch libraries, a Local History Service (Tipperary Studies) and a Schools Mobile Service.
'We offer a countywide, inclusive service that is accessible by families, students, lifelong learners, older people and people with disabilities,' added a spokesperson.
'From newspapers to author visits, storytime to book clubs, there really is something for everyone.
'For those of you who can't make it to the library, we have an online catalogue which allows members to search, request and renew books and a range of e-services to download at your leisure.
'As well as a huge free range of e-services including e-books, e-magazines, e-courses, e-languages, there is Tipperary Studies for the local history and genealogy enthusiasts. We also have a number of outreach services to schools, pre-schools, nursing homes and day care centres.'
