Libraries Unbound
A five-year vision for Dublin City Council Libraries, shaping welcoming, accessible, and innovative library services for the 592,713 people who call Dublin home.
Libraries Unbound sets out the strategic direction for Dublin's public library service from 2025 to 2029.
Shaped by extensive public consultation with over 280 participants, the plan is rooted in a commitment to human rights, equality and non-discrimination — translating community feedback into ambitious, achievable actions for the citizens of Dublin.
Prepared for adoption by Dublin City Council in accordance with the Local Government Act 2001, the plan aligns with national policy including the Programme for Government 2025 and The Library is the Place 2023–2027, as well as Dublin City Council's own Development, Climate Action and Corporate Plans.
Building on the achievements of the previous plan — including the new Finglas Library, the refurbishment of Coolock Library, and the successful launch of My Open Library at Pembroke and Raheny — this plan looks ahead to the transformative City Library at Parnell Square and new branches in Drimnagh and Belmayne/Clongriffin.
Our previous plan in numbers'
10.4M
Physical items and eResources have been issued
9.6M
People have visited our libraries
435K
People of all ages attended events across our libraries
28K
Events were held in our libraries
“Libraries play an important role in place-making for local communities.
A public library creates a sense of place, a sense of identity by offering a safe, civic democratic space where all are welcome”.
Mairead Owens,
Dublin City Librarian
Executive Summary
This plan sets out a vision and direction for the development of Dublin City Council Libraries over the five-year period from 2025 to 2029.
It has been prepared for adoption by Dublin City Council in accordance with the Local Government Act 2001 (Section 78) and sets out ten high level priorities and the actions that will ensure they are delivered.
The plan has been prepared following a review of achievements under the previous plan, ‘Libraries Unlimited: A Strategic Direction for Dublin City Libraries 2019-2023’, and a comprehensive public and stakeholder consultation process outlined in more detail in this document. An equality and human rights impact assessment was undertaken on the final draft of the plan in compliance with the Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty.
The priorities outlined in this plan reflect the feedback received during consultation, and are rooted in our commitment to human rights, equality and non-discrimination. These have been further translated into ambitious but achievable actions that will deliver new, innovative and improved services for the citizens of Dublin.
Books in all their formats are at the heart of our service.
The Development Plan
Ten priorities for the next five years
1
Spaces in Places
Investing in new builds, refurbishments and better opening hours — including the landmark City Library at Parnell Square, new branches in Drimnagh and Belmayne/Clongriffin, and the expansion of My Open Library to more locations.
2
Off the Shelf and on the Screen
Providing free high-speed Wi-Fi, modern devices, makerspaces and digital skills training — democratising access to technology and addressing digital exclusion across the city.
3
Events for Everyone
Delivering a dynamic year-round programme covering creativity, health, culture, science, the Irish language and climate action — reflecting the diverse interests of Dublin's communities.
4
Bringing the Library to You
Expanding outreach beyond library walls into communities, schools, festivals and sheltered accommodation — ensuring access for those who face barriers, including a new electric outreach van.
5
Children & Young People
Ensuring every child — from babies to teenagers, across all communities — has the opportunity to develop a lifelong connection with their local library through storytelling, reading challenges and school engagement.
6
Better Tech, Better Access
Providing free high-speed Wi-Fi, modern devices, makerspaces and digital skills training — democratising access to technology and addressing digital exclusion across the city.
7
Preserving the Past, Looking to the Future
Safeguarding the City Archives and Dublin & Irish Collections while making them more accessible through digitisation, the Historians in Residence programme and the Dublin Festival of History.
8
City of Literature Lovers
Celebrating Dublin's UNESCO City of Literature designation through the Dublin Literary Award, One Dublin One Book and partnerships that champion the city's rich contemporary and heritage literary life.
9
Telling Our Story
Strengthening communications through social media, newsletters, a new events calendar app and an 'Ask a Librarian' service — keeping library users connected and reaching those who haven't yet discovered what libraries offer.
10
Powered by People
(and processes)
Supporting library staff through workforce planning, professional development, opportunities to work across different roles, and a workplace culture committed to equality, diversity and the Irish language.
Context
This plan is grounded in the Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty, addressing diversity across all identified groups — including gender, disability, age, race, sexual orientation, membership of the Traveller community and those experiencing socio-economic disadvantage. The plan also reflects Ireland's national commitment to delivering the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Dublin City Libraries is fully committed to the advancement and promotion of the Irish language across the city, ensuring it has an integral role in all aspects of the library service.
The successful delivery of the plan depends on sustainable, transparent and accountable financial management. A phased budget will be developed annually in consultation with Dublin City Council's Finance Department, with investment directed toward capital projects, technology, collection development, workforce planning and community programming.
Finance & Funding
Dublin City Council Libraries recognise that responsible stewardship of public funds is essential to achieving the strategic goals of the service and maintaining public trust.
Funding Context
Public libraries in Ireland are primarily funded by local authorities, with additional support from central government via the Department of Rural and Community Development. In recent years, funding has also been secured through initiatives such as the Dormant Accounts Fund and the URDF fund. This plan is developed within the context of ongoing pressure on public sector budgets, inflationary costs, and increased demand for digital and community services. DCC’s commitment to a vibrant and innovative library service is evidenced by the ongoing maintenance of healthy budgets for the library service and a willingness to fund innovation that has demonstrable positive impact for the citizens of the city.
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Over the five-year term of this plan (2025–2029), expenditure will be required in the following key areas:
Capital projects, including the delivery of a new City Library, branch refurbishments, accessibility upgrades, and energy-efficient retrofits.Technology and digital services, including public PCs, Wi-Fi, eBooks, online learning platforms, cybersecurity and training.
Collection development with a focus on maintaining literacy levels.
Work Force Planning, including professional development and succession planning.
Programming, communications and outreach, with a focus on literacy, inclusion, and community wellbeing.
A phased budget will be developed annually in consultation with Dublin City Council’s Finance Department.
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Dublin City Libraries is committed to ensuring value for money through:
Participation in national
procurement frameworks.Investment in energy-efficient technologies to reduce operational costs.
Data-driven evaluation of service impact to inform resource allocation, including use of equality data when available.
Financial performance and funding utilisation will be monitored regularly, with reporting structures aligned to Dublin City Council’s audit and oversight requirements.
The City Library Network
Made up of 21 service points, the city’s libraries are distributed across the North and South side of Dublin. The key ambition for our library network, over the lifetime of this plan is to deliver a new City Library at Parnell Square, replacing the existing central library in the ILAC Centre. The network will also be expanded, with the addition of new libraries for Drimnagh and Belmayne/Clongriffin and the replacement of existing branches at Terenure and Marino. Ringsend library will also be extended.
