Library services booming in popularity in Waterford
Since becoming a ‘My Open Library’ in January 2024, Tramore Library has been open to the public even outside of staffed hours, and locals are able to use the service from 8am to 10pm every day, 365 days a year, even on Christmas day.
The initiative has proved incredibly popular, particularly amongst students, with over 1,200 visits monthly just during the My Open Library hours.
During these hours, guests can borrow and return items, print, photocopy, access free Wi-Fi and use study spaces.
For those interesting in joining the service, you must visit the library during staffed hours so they can give you an introduction to the library.
Since undergoing major renovation works last year to allow for refurbishment and the installation of the new My Open Library service, Tramore Library has continued to grow in popularity.
Managed by Loretta Kinsella, the library is a vibrant community space.
In the new meeting room, the knitting group have been knitting and nattering to great success, recently raising €2,000 for the Tramore & Waterford ARCH Club and RNLI.
Tramore also has a weekly toddler group, several book clubs, weekly Irish conversation group, French conversation group, Spanish group, and conversation groups for Ukrainians to help learn English.
Library staff are particularly excited about upcoming event with author Jan Carson, who will be in conversation with Dymphna Nugent from WLRFM. The event takes place on Tuesday February 25. The event is fully booked however there is a waiting list.
Ireland Reads Month with a special Ireland Reads Day on February 22 is also on the way, an annual celebration of books and reading.
Additionally, library membership is free, and fines are gone.
Being a member of Waterford Libraries, means you are a member of all public libraries across Ireland, with access to over 330 libraries and 12 million items.
You can borrow an item from Waterford and return to any public library in Ireland.
Once you are member of the library, you can also access the borrowbox app which gives you free ebooks, audiobooks, emagazines and enewspapers.
Contact Tramore on 051 849594 or see www.waterfordlibraries.ie for events and services
