The controversial new public library in Dún Laoghaire opened to the public without fanfare on Monday. "Most of the people who were not happy about the outside have been wowed by the inside," says Lisa Murphy, senior librarian at the €36.6 million cultural and community space, called the DLR LexIcon. Murphy (below) was in charge of moving stock from the old Carnegie library to the new space.
She says people of all ages have been coming into the library all week – some just to take in the views over the harbour, down the coast to Scotsman’s Bay and Dalkey and up to Howth. “We’ve had a lot of selfies taken at the big picture windows.”
Books are still the principal feature of the three main floors, which incorporate a large new junior library, stand-up and sit-down internet portals and study and reading areas amid lines of oak shelves. “The junior library has been packed with children of all ages during the week,” says Murphy.
The building also accommodates the county arts office, an artist in residence, a municipal gallery, and meeting rooms for hire at nominal rates to small businesses.
Soundings, the first exhibition in the gallery, opens today. "Soundings explores the relationships between Dún Laoghaire, the sea and its people through artworks, talks and workshops," says Michael McLoughlin, its curator.
“Six artists with connections to Dún Laoghaire – Gary Coyle, Anthony Haughey, Emma Johnston, Sabina MacMahon, Julie Merriman and Lisa Reburn – have investigated maritime histories, memories, testimonies and archives.”
LexIcon’s top floor is dedicated to local history, with maps, photographs, historical records and journals. “We also have a new 24/7 book-returning system on the exterior wall next to the Haigh Terrace entrance,” says Murphy.
High-tech, self-service-focused libraries also change the role of librarians, who are traditionally considered to be quiet, reserved types.
“Some staff members aren’t happy,” says Murphy. “We are out on the floor and dealing with people more. It’s a different dynamic, more demanding because people can approach us more when we are not behind a desk.
“We even have tourists coming in and phone calls from different places, asking about our opening hours over Christmas, so they can come in and have a look around. Today will be our first Saturday, and there will be a great buzz with the Christmas craft markets on the Metals. We’re expecting big crowds.”
LexIcon is open 9.30am-5pm on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays, and 9.30am-8pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, until December 23rd. Apart from New Year's Day, it is open again from December 29th Michael McLoughlin and RNLI crew will give tours of Soundings today, and families can help to create a maritime frieze on the windows of the project room
