In early September, Deputy Broughan was contacted by a number of constituents very concerned about the future of Donaghmede Library. Many local residents are concerned that the library will be moved out of the Donaghmede Shopping Centre. Deputy Broughan immediately contacted the CEO of Dublin City Council, Owen Keegan, and City Librarian, Ms Margaret Hayes, asking that DCC commit to renewing the library’s lease with Donaghmede Shopping Centre when it expires in June 2019.
The City Librarian replied on September 20th last that Dublin City Council was exploring “all opportunities to ensure there is continuity of service for the users of Donaghmede Library and the communities of Donaghmede, Clongriffin and Balgriffin. Such opportunities include the possibility of relocating the library to a Dublin City Council owned premises…” Ms Hayes also confirmed that DCC would “engage with local representatives and the wider community at the earliest appropriate opportunity should the situation regarding library service provision in the area change significantly.”
Deputy Broughan said that if DCC is intending to construct a new Civic Centre for Donaghmede and environs which would include a library, that local constituents would need early consultation on this. The local TARGET resource centre in Donaghmede also lost its home in Scoil Colmcille earlier this year and is now located at Donaghmede House and two or three other venues in the district. Deputy Broughan said that there is a need for a major community facility for the large Donaghmede Parish and the nearby North Fringe but called for our Donaghmede library to be retained in a central location for the surrounding 3,000 plus Donaghmede household.
Deputy Broughan says “For over 30 years, Donaghmede Library has provided an essential resource to all those living in Donaghmede and in the wider community. From speaking with constituents, I know many would be very opposed to this potential relocation and would be a terrible loss to the community. It would be absolutely awful to lose this important local facility. The people of Donaghmede do not want the library to be relocated and are actively campaigning to have the lease extended past June 2019. I am fully behind them in their endeavours and have been in touch with the CEO of Dublin City Council.”
