The Mayor of County Cork, Councillor Gillian Coughlan has today officially opened the new Bandon Library.
The Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Gillian Coughlan along with (from left) Cllr. Kevin Murphy; Christopher O'Sullivan, TD; Cllr. John O'Sullivan; Tim Lucey, Chief Executive, Cork County Council; Cllr. Alan Coleman and Cllr. Marie O'Sullivan pictured at the official opening of the new Bandon Library. Pic: Brian Lougheed
The state-of-the-art purpose built facility is set to be open 365 days a year.
The Library now occupies the ground floor of the new Primary Care Centre on Market Place, a short distance from its former location but almost five times larger in size.
There are over 30,000 books for members to choose from, with the library having dedicated areas for younger children, teens and young adults.
Bandon Library has been specially equipped with customised furniture and technology.
The €250,000 fit-out cost includes two 3D printers and a multifunction meeting room with digital conferencing equipment.
Free access to high-speed internet and Wi-Fi is available throughout, supporting the community to study, work, create and play.
Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Gillian Coughlan was delighted to cut the ribbon on the new facility, saying:
“The library provides a vital service in towns and villages right across Cork County. It is an inclusive and inviting space to read, be entertained and learn. I believe that libraries are becoming even more relevant in the digital age. Bandon Library has ambitious plans in this area and will be providing free computer coding classes for children, Lego robotics workshops and will be introducing both adults and children to the basics of 3D printing and design. The printers have already generated huge interest from visitors to the library. We want to ensure that there will be barrier-free access to science, technology and the arts which is why laptops and iPads will be available to borrow.”
Library Members will soon be able to borrow books and access the facility every day of the year outside of normal opening hours.
Bandon Library is set to become the first My Open Library in West Cork where the library will be open on a self-service basis from 8.00am to 10.00pm, 365 days of the year which has been grant funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development.
