Rathmines Library

Lots of things I love about this library, some I’d change if I was able to. But keep in mind as a 20y/​o person what I find important in a library could completely differ from what an older parent might care about, for example!
Things I love:
— The building is incredibly beautiful! I love walking to the library and wandering around and just appreciating the surroundings. The location is also very handy as it’s in the centre of Rathmines, so it’s easy to make library visits an integral part of your weekly shopping trip/​walk/​etc.
— The selection is decent enough for me, though I often buy books myself. Might depend on what kind of books you like, though. I like fiction, sci-​fi, fantasy… and am happy with what they have to offer.
— It’s pretty easy to check out books, pay fines, open a library card account, and I’ve never had a problem with the staff.
— I like the «community» sense of the library, for example they have a big board with tons of ads for jobs and work (wanted/​offered), art classes, exhibitions, concerts…
Things I don’t love:
— The wifi is shaky at best, don’t assume you’ll be able to rely on it for music, google searches, or reading documents online. There are also no plugs except in a seat near the stairs AFAIK.
— This library is pretty tiny, and has been clearly designed with young families in mind (spaces for children and activities) and not so much those who want a space to comfortably read or to study. There is pretty much no study/​comfortable reading room: one low round table that fits two people upstairs and three long «angled» tables (where your book is held almost vertical like on a chapter, which irritates me to no end) that have space for about 15 people altogether. I also find it pretty awkward to have all spaces be «communal» e.g. tables where we’re all sitting in a circle or facing each other, makes it difficult to immerse oneself in a book. I’d prefer seats scattered throughout the library and nooks!
— The opening hours are… surprising. I don’t know if this is common practice in Dublin/​Ireland (not from here originally) but I was baffled to be told to leave around 4.45pm!

What is more enchanting than a library? This library is one of the reasons I wanted to live in Rathmines. The building is so beautiful and the staff are lovely, it really makes me feel better after I have popped in here.
I had decided to stop buying so many books and to just order them from my local library instead. I love the idea of reading something and then bringing it back for someone else to read; it’s the way it should be unless you are going to re-​read the book in question a gazillion times.
What’s so great about the new way Dublin libraries are organised is that you can order nearly any book online, it searches all the Dublin libraries catalogues, and then you can pick it up from your local library. It used to be 50 cents each time you ordered a book that wasn’t already in your library, but now it’s completely free. I think it’s wonderful. They even had some obscure academic books I needed for my course.
It’s so sad people aren’t using libraries as much now and that they are basically becoming extinct because I think they are the real heart of a community. It’s so magical going to a library as a child and seeing all the books out there to discover, but it’s just as magical as an adult. You can find all sorts of things, from the newest cook books to travel guides.
Rathmines is pretty small, but like I said you can order nearly everything you need online. It also has a small amount of space upstairs for studying if ever you need to get something done in peace. The atmosphere here is lovely.

I waited a long time for the refurbishment of the library to be completed and was delighted when the doors finally reopened.
It is well-​organised, accessible, clean and relatively warm. The wi-​fi is a bit slow and I’m not mad about the computer access rules, but the staff are friendly and helpful, which is already more than half the battle in making this place great!

I am a little torn on how to do this review. If it had multiple categories it would make it so much easier. 5 stars for the staff, five stars for the building itself, two stars for the selection.
Now to be fair, I haven’t really been there to check out novels or dvds. I have really only gone for research and their Irish lit selection is a little lacking. But then again, this is just a small neighborhood branch and I was expecting too much.
However, the staff offered to find the books I needed at other branches and have them held for me… and when that didn’t pan out, they taught me about the NLI web site. So this place is cool in my book. Plus it really is one of the most beautiful buildings around.

Rathmines Library is possibly the nicest public library in Dublin. It is housed in a beautiful old building and the staff are extremely helpful for when you need to reserve a book, sometimes they will even keep a book on hold even though you didn’t specifically ask for it. They have a wide selection of books and magazines as well as listening books and DVDs. The library is pretty much the same as in other public libraries, but what makes Rathmines my absolute favourite is the staff here, who are some of the nicest people I’ve ever met, and the beautiful building the library is in. I’ve spent hours and hours in here studying for exams or just reading, highly recommended.

Like most Dublin libraries, this one in Rathmines is a nice oasis of calm and silence in the midst of a bustling area. It’s a lovely place to go and hang out in for the afternoon and if you’re studying it’s a good spot to spend time in too. I used it a good bit when I was doing my post-​grad, although I was searching the shelves one day for a particular book and a horrible man felt my butt! That wasn’t the fault of the library of course and I put the incident behind me (pardon the pun!).

The Rathmines Public Library, which was built in the Baroque style in 1913, is one of the many stunning buildings this crazy suburban village has to offer.
It was designed by Batchelor and Hicks architects in an Arklow brick and terracotta façade. Batchelor and Hicks, who also designed many other buildings in Dublin, including No. 43 O’Connell Street, were funded by the Carnegie Libraries Scheme.
This gives the building a considerable claim to fame ranking it among the illustrious list of over two-​thousand libraries funded by Andrew Carnegie, the so-​called ‘patron saint of libraries’. He has libraries of note all across North America and Europe and on most of the other continents too. You’ll probably recognise his name because of Carnegie Hall, which houses the Julliard music conservatory, and is probably one of the most famous music schools and concert venues in the world.
An feature of note within the building is the stained glass window, which depicts a figurative allegory of literature.
So, there ya go, East Coast American opulence and philanthropy meet 16^th Century France right here in Rathmines for us all to enjoy.

Housed in Rathmines’ most beautiful building, Rathmines Library has to be one of the nicest of the suburban public libraries in Dublin.
The desks upstairs are perfect for some quiet reading time, though can get a little noisier around 4pm when the local schoolkids come en-​masse to study.
There’s free WiFi access, a few computers with internet access that you can go online for free (but must be booked in advance), and there’s internet classes on offer for those who need a little extra help getting online.
There’s a weekly adult reading group, and plenty of activities organised for the kids.
The community noticeboard is free for anyone to advertise, and is a great place to find out about jobs and activities in the area.

This is my new favourite study space. Nice upstairs area with a few desks, wifi access but only a couple of outlets for plugging in laptop leads. Lovely staff who are very knowledgeable and eager to help.

Oh Dublin! So THIS is where you’ve been hiding all the good looking men!!!
I think I’ll spend more time ‘studying’ here…

Sad as it sounds i’m a big fan of the Libraries of Dublin City. Rathmines is probably one of the best too. Maybe its the building or the really helpful and slightly eccentric staff.
The place is well stocked, books are usually in pretty good condition and you can usually order in either online or with one of the librarians.
Its also an idea spot to work if you need a bit of peace or are studying. The upstairs study room is usually full. Theres wireless throughout the building, which is thankfully free. Which makes a change as a coffee places are starting to charge for it now. PC’s available as well to go online.
Another thing thats good to see is Libraries stocking more and more DVD’s. They probably won’t have the complete box set of the Soprano’s anytime soon but its a start.
Theres also a newspaper reading room and all the government forms and reports you’ll ever need.

This is a good size library, with plenty to choose from. There are a variety of books for all ages. I’ve come here since I was young and reading books such as ‘Tom and Jane’, to now, when I’m reading the likes of the Da Vinci Code.
There are also some DVDs, CDs and tapes.
It is very easy to get a membership, just go to the main desk and they’ll sort you out very quickly. You’ll then recieve a membership card which you should bring along everytime you come to borrow a book.
The staff are always very friendly and have a good knowledge of books, so if you want to know what they recommend or can’t find something, just go and ask.
This library also has facilites upstairs where authors come anbd gives talks. These take place regularly, there are posters advertising what is coming up.
To get to here by bus is very easy, many pass by it: 14, 14A, 15, 15A, 83