Athlone Library reopens this morning
The Aidan Heavey Library in Athlone is reopening this morning to users, after an almost four-month closure period for upgrade works.
Westmeath Libraries said it is delighted to welcome library users back.
The facility is open from 9.40am today to 5.30pm, from 9.40am to 5pm on Friday and 9.40am to 1.30pm on Saturday.
Normal opening hours will resume on Monday, February 23.
The works have included improvements to the lighting, installation of a new lift, and excitingly for many borrowers a brand-new service, the Sensory Cubbie. The Cubbie will be available from February 19, and offers a calm and supportive space for users who may be overwhelmed and need to reset and regulate their emotions.
Patrons are welcome to drop in browse, borrow, study, use the computers and wifi and avail of library services.
The library is looking forward to celebrating Ireland Reads on Saturday, February 28, with storytimes, book clinics and imagination stations. The library said it is also look forward to working with colleagues in Westmeath Arts during March as the new John Broderick Writer-In-Residence programme is rolled out.
While Westmeath Libraries is reopening in Athlone today (Thursday), there will be some ongoing works over the next month to complete the upgrades.
A library service spokesperson said: “We hope that this will have limited disruption on services but ask for patience.”
When works are fully completed, the My Open Library will be launched in the Aidan Heavey Library. This will allow adult members and students aged 16+ (with parental permission) to use the library outside of staffed hours, allowing self-service access. Open from 8am – 10pm, 365 days per year, the My Open Library service aims to remove barriers for those who want to read, pick up books or study at a time that suits them.
A spokesperson said: “We hope to begin registration for My Open Library in Athlone in mid-March. We are very much looking forward to welcoming everyone back through our doors and greatly appreciate the public’s patience and support during the upgrade works.”