Eisiúint Meáin: ‘Tabhair Suntas Dóibh’: Lá Oscailte Náisiúnta na Leabharlann Poiblí á chur chun cinn ag na hAirí Calleary agus Buttimer
Media Release
Monday, 22 September 2025
‘Take a Closer Look’: Ministers Calleary and Buttimer promote the National Public Libraries Open Day
- Public libraries nationwide to host Open Day this Saturday, 27 September
- All services free: membership, borrowing, digital resources and more
- Special focus on welcoming teens, young adults, older people, and neurodiverse communities
Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht Dara Calleary TD and Minister of State with responsibility for Communities and Charities, Jerry Buttimer TD, are inviting everyone to visit their local library this Saturday, 27th September, for the National Public Libraries Open Day.
A wide array of events and activities will be held in libraries across the country, from creative workshops to story-times, book clubs, wellness sessions and more. This year, the campaign continues under the theme ‘Take a Closer Look’, highlighting the extensive range of library services available—far beyond books alone.
Promoting the National Public Libraries Open Day, Minister Dara Calleary said:
“Libraries are for everyone, at every stage of life. They equip us with the skills to navigate a changing world—from digital literacy workshops for young people to social spaces for older adults and support for people of all backgrounds and abilities.
“I want to thank our dedicated library staff for their passion and innovation. With over 330 branches nationwide, libraries are uniquely placed to support inclusion, learning and wellbeing in the communities they serve.”
Minister Buttimer added:
“National Public Libraries Open Day is about opening doors and minds. Libraries are vibrant hubs at the heart our communities—places for learning, creativity, and connection.
“Whether you’re a regular visitor or haven’t stepped into a library for years, I encourage you to discover what’s on offer this Saturday. From digital resources to sensory-friendly spaces, there truly is something for everyone.
“And remember, every library service is free—no membership fees, no fines, and no barriers.”
Sonya Kavanagh, Chair of the National Libraries Development Committee, said:
“Our Public libraries National Open Day is a wonderful opportunity to shine a light on how libraries empower and inspire. As Chair of the LDC, I am proud to see libraries leading the way in supporting creativity, culture, and lifelong learning. This year, we’re especially focused on welcoming new members. Our doors are open, our staff are ready to help, and we can’t wait to welcome you in.”
Ireland’s public libraries offer free access to over 12 million items, including bestsellers, eBooks, eAudiobooks, digital newspapers and magazines, musical instruments, and much more. All core library services are free of charge, with no membership fees or late fines. Members can borrow, reserve, and return items at any library in the country. There are 330 library branches and 31 mobile libraries nationwide. In 2024, library membership saw an increase from the previous year with 789,041 registered members by year end with digital usage also continuing to grow.
Everyone is encouraged to join the national conversation using the hashtags #LibrariesOpenDay and #TakeACloserLook.
Eisiúint Meáin
Dé Luain, 22 Meán Fómhair 2025
‘Tabhair Suntas Dóibh’: Lá Oscailte Náisiúnta na Leabharlann Poiblí á chur chun cinn ag na hAirí Calleary agus Buttimer
- Lá Oscailte le reáchtáil ag leabharlanna poiblí ar fud na tíre Dé Sathairn seo, 27 Meán Fómhair
- Gach seirbhís saor in aisce: ballraíocht, iasacht, acmhainní digiteacha, agus tuilleadh
- Béim speisialta ar fháiltiú roimh dhéagóirí, aosaigh óga, daoine scothaosta, agus pobail néara-éagsúla
Tá fáilte á cur ag an Aire Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail agus Gaeltachta Dara Calleary TD agus ag an Aire Stáit le freagracht as Pobail agus Carthanachtaí, Jerry Buttimer TD, roimh gach duine chun cuairt a thabhairt ar a leabharlanna áitiúla an Satharn seo, 27ú Meán Fómhair, do Lá Oscailte Náisiúnta na Leabharlann Poiblí.
Reáchtálfar réimse leathan imeachtaí agus gníomhaíochtaí i leabharlanna fud fad na tíre, idir cheardlanna cruthaitheachta agus amanna scéalaíochta, clubanna leabhar, seisiúin folláine, agus go leor eile. I mbliana, leanann an feachtas ar aghaidh faoin téama ‘Tabhair Suntas Dóibh’, faoina gcuirtear béim ar fhairsinge na seirbhísí leabharlainne atá ar fáil—tá i bhfad eile seachas leabhair ar fáil.
Dúirt an tAire Dara Calleary, agus Lá Oscailte Náisiúnta na Leabharlann Poiblí á chur chun cinn aige:
“Tá leabharlanna dírithe ar chách, ag gach céim den tsaol. Tugann siad na scileanna dúinn chun ár mbealach a dhéanamh trí dhomhan athraitheach–idir cheardlanna um inniúlacht dhigiteach do dhaoine óga agus spásanna sóisialta do dhaoine scothaosta, agus tacaíocht do dhaoine de gach cúlra agus cumas.
“Ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil lenár mbaill foirne dhúthrachtacha sna leabharlanna as a ndíograis agus a n-inniúlacht. Le hos cionn 330 brainse ar fud na tíre, is áiteanna ar leith iad leabharlanna chun tacú le hionchuimsiú, foghlaim agus dea-fholláine sna pobail ar a bhfreastalaíonn siad.”
In éineacht leis sin, dúirt an tAire Buttimer:
“Oscailt doirse agus intinní atá mar aidhm le Lá Oscailte Náisiúnta na Leabharlann Poiblí. Is moil bhríomhara iad leabharlanna ag croílár ár bpobal—áiteanna don fhoghlaim, cruthaitheacht agus ceangal.
“Cé acu más cuairteoir rialta thú nó mura bhfuil cuairt tugtha agat ar leabharlann le blianta fada, spreagaim sibh chun triail a bhaint as an méid atá ar fáil an Satharn seo. Idir acmhainní digiteacha agus spásanna céadfaí, is fíor go bhfuil rud ann do gach éinne.
“Agus ná déanaigí dearmad, tá gach seirbhís leabharlainne saor in aisce–gan táillí ballraíochta, fíneálacha nó bacainní.”
Dúirt Sonya Kavanagh, Cathaoirleach an Choiste Náisiúnta Forbartha Leabharlann:
“Is deis iontach í ár Lá Oscailte Náisiúnta do Leabharlanna Poiblí chun béim a leagan ar chumas spreagtha agus cumasaithe na leabharlann. Mar Chathaoirleach an Choiste Forbartha Leabharlann, is cúis bhróid dom go bhfuil leabharlanna ag ceann an tslua maidir le tacaíocht don chruthaitheacht, cultúr agus foghlaim fad saoil. I mbliana, tá béim ar leith á cur againn ar fháiltiú roimh bhaill nua. Tá ár ndoirse ar oscailt, tá ár bhfoirne réidh le cuidiú libh agus tá muid ar bís le fáilte a chur romhaibh.”
Tugann leabharlanna poiblí na hÉireann rochtain shaor in aisce ar bhreis is 12 milliún earra, ar a n-áirítear leabhair sárdhíola, ríomhleabhair, ríomh-chlosleabhair, nuachtáin agus irisleabhair dhigiteacha, uirlisí ceoil, agus go leor eile nach iad. Cuirtear na croísheirbhísí leabharlainne go léir ar fáil saor in aisce, gan táillí ballraíochta nó fíneálacha i gcomhair déanaí. Is féidir le baill earraí a fháil ar iasacht, a chur in áirithe, agus a thabhairt ar ais i leabharlann ar bith sa tír. Tá 330 brainse leabharlainne agus 31 leabharlann taistil ar fud na tíre. In 2024, tháinig méadú ar bhallraíocht leabharlann ón bhliain roimhe le 789,041 ball cláraithe faoi dheireadh na bliana, agus leanadh leis an bhorradh ar úsáid dhigiteach freisin.
Spreagtar do chách páirt a ghlacadh sa chomhrá náisiúnta trí úsáid a bhaint as na haischlibeanna #LibrariesOpenDay agus #TakeACloserLook.