Fingal Blog Archive

As the autumn leaves fall and the days get shorter, we find ourselves gravitating towards the tea and blankets a little bit earlier in the evenings! What better way to make the most of the changing season than by wrapping up with a nice, atmospheric book? We can’t think of a better way to spend a chilly autumn night. 

The recent Covid lockdown meant libraries and other public buildings had to shut down for a time, but there have also been other crises in recent history which have affected libraries. Fergus from Donabate Library reviews Susan Orlean’s non-fiction release, The Library Book, which explores the mystery behind a fire which destroyed L.A’s Central Library in 1986.

For many science-fiction fans of a certain age, autumn Saturday afternoons of the mid-80s will always be associated with the adventures of Will Parker, Henry Parker and Beanpole. Alan from Malahide Library brings us some TV nostalgia as he remembers The Tripods.

In the autumn of 1967, the actor Vincent Price arrived in England to begin work on a low-budget horror film titled Witchfinder General, to be directed by the twenty-four-year-old Michael Reeves. Vincent Price was a world-famous American actor, while the English Michael Reeves had previously directed only two feature films and had been 2nd assistant director on another. Theirs was to be one of the most volatile relationships ever witnessed on a film set, but Witchfinder General would become a highly celebrated horror film, featuring one of Vincent Price's greatest performances.

July 6th marked 113 years since the birth of the Mexican artist, Frida Kahlo (born in 1907). But who exactly is this cultural icon, and why is she still being celebrated so widely today?

Dublin Author Gemma Jackson recounts a summer holiday she had in Balbriggan as a child.

Have you ever wanted to learn to sing? Choir member Sharon from Garristown Library writes about her passion for singing and reviews the vocal lessons provided through the ArtistWorks online library service.

As Pride month begins, the Fingal Library staff highlight a few LGBT-themed books which they enjoyed reading in the last few months.

Our movements may be restricted but books about journeys are still allowing our minds to wander to places we have never been. Robert MacFarlane’s travels in search of “The Wild Places” begin in a beechwood near his Cambridge home. Climbing one of the beech trees for a bird-eye view of the landscape below, he reflects that “anyone who lives in a city will know the feeling of having been there too long”.

The Starman holds a special place in the hearts of many. Always one to challenge convention and reinvent himself, Bowie’s career was fascinating and varied. Here, Alan from Malahide Library shines a light on David Bowie in his portrayal of “the alien” and the varying forms it takes in his acting roles.

Derek from Malahide Library offers tips, advice and shares his experiences of learning to play the guitar.

Read our newest Library Blog about the symphony of sounds heard during lockdown.

Public libraries are a special part of our community. They are one of few places available where you can gain so much, yet are asked for nothing in return. What’s more, the entire community stands to benefit from the public library and all its facilities and services.

It’s with these thoughts in mind, and thanks to funding from the Dormant Accounts Fund, that Fingal Libraries this year embarked on one of their most ambitious and exciting projects to date, endeavouring to become an Autism-Friendly service.

This is one of my favourite excerpts from Michelle Obama's book Becoming. It is so vividly written that my imagination was having a ball picturing the First Family running, the Usain Bolt type of running, across the South Lawn. If you've read it, you'll probably agree with me and with over a million people worldwide who have read it as well that it is a brilliant read.

Fingal Libraries fourth annual Write Time Festival takes place this September to celebrate the art and craft of creative writing. Throughout the month, Libraries will host free workshops and author talks to spark the imagination and inspire creativity.

Public libraries have always been at the heart of the communities they serve. They are the portal to a shared bank of accurate and reliable knowledge, and act as gateways in accessing information. Often the scrutiny of debate in recent years, their existence and relevance has been called into question as we find ourselves in a world ever evolving in how knowledge and information are accessed and disseminated. Despite strong challenges, public libraries have prevailed and are enjoying a resurgence in interest and membership, and are providing for their local community in ever increasing ways.

In the early decades of the 1900s, the public libraries movement in Ireland experienced periods of great prosperity, owing directly to the benevolence of Mr. Carnegie and the Carnegie UK Trust, as well as the national impulse towards education and knowledge. Applications for financial assistance were as plentiful as the gifts on offer, and Ireland reaped the rewards in the form of an extensive library service. Approaching the late 1930s, amenities offered could be considered a touch arbitrary – making do with whatever resources were available – yet the movement endeavoured to deliver a service and extended its provision purposefully across the country. By 1947, all but two counties, Westmeath and Longford, had adopted the county library scheme.

The passage of a century provides a meaningful measure from which to take stock of bygone days and creates a pause in which to look expectantly to the future. At the turn of the 20th century in Ireland, the increasingly literate masses and the emergence of a newly reading public heralded a new era for knowledge dissemination. The Irish literary scene was thriving with prolific offerings, and many urban centres experienced a rejuvenated and bustling printing and publishing trade, whose wares reached far and wide, filtering through to the village library and reading room. Demand for literature was high, and there seemed a frenzied need to deliver.

In the heart of old medieval Dublin, proudly stands the immense 800-year-old Gothic structure that is St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Its lofty spire pierces the sky, its looming shadows cast so wide as to extend unapologetically beyond the perimeter of its grounds, its presence is so stark and obvious, one would almost be led to believe there was little else of interest in the area. Yet, hidden amongst the shadows of this mighty structure is an almost secret, diminutive gem, its value to Dublin’s heritage equally as impressive as that of its neighbour – Marsh’s Library, Ireland’s first public library.

Summer has finally arrived!  We've asked our well read library staff which books they have enjoyed reading over the Summer.  They have chosen a great mix of fiction, non-fiction and a book that won the International Dublin Literary Award 2019.

Brea Mullarkey, from Garristown, is just 9 years old and she has written a book called, “Lost and Found: A bedtime story for my brothers.” She is always drawing and writing notes to her friends but her wish was to write a book and with the help of Make-A-Wish Ireland her dream has come true.

Blanchardstown Library is one of the biggest and busiest libraries in the country serving a diverse community.  Staff had been talking about introducing autism friendly hours for a while and the seeds were firmly planted after I attended a seminar hosted by Children’s Book’s Ireland on programming ‘relaxed events’.  From this I paid a visit to the National Library where there is a regular sensory craft session for children on the autism spectrum.  I also looked at what other libraries around the country were doing and got in touch with them for some advice.  This concept is relatively new in Irish public libraries so it’s a case of everyone learning from each other.

The world of music at your fingertips!

We had a staff tea-break argument about Leonard Cohen this morning. For the life of us, we couldn’t agree what music genre he falls under. One person suggested ‘Canadian Country/Folk’ while another insisted there should be a new ‘Morose-Middle-Ager’ genre added…

Whether you love Cohen, Mozart, Springsteen or Parton, you’ll find something of interest on Freegal – Fingal Libraries’ new music streaming and download service. Did we mention it’s free and that you can access it using your library card and PIN?  Streaming is unlimited while your weekly download limit is set at 5 MP3 downloads. The App can be downloaded on Android and Apple devices and is incredibly easy to navigate.