There have been over 500,000 visits to Oranmore Library since its opening ten years ago. New figures released as Oranmore Library celebrated its tenth birthday have shown that the public library registered 16,343 members and attracted over half a million visits through its doors since the facility opened in 2001. During the ten-year period since the facility opened on 19 January 2001, 546,156 books were also issued to readers.
The library project is the result of co-operation between Galway County Council and the Saint Mary’s Old Church Restoration Committee. The Old Church Restoration Committee commenced work on restoring the disused former Saint Mary’s Church in the early 1990s and won support from the National Heritage Council, Coillte Teoranta, the Irish American Partnership, FÁS and many local people.
In 1995, the Church Restoration Committee approached Galway County Council with a request that the restored church should house a new public library for Oranmore.
Following consultations initiated by Angela Kelly, Chairperson of the Church Restoration Committee, the building was leased to Galway County Council who, with assistance from the Department of Environment, completed the refurbishment of the building as a public library.
Reflecting on the milestone, Oranmore Librarian John Lawlor said that “the library looks forward to further successes through providing relevant and timely book collections, access to new technology and to hosting educational and cultural programmes.”
Mr Lawlor said the library is always keen to encourage new users and he welcomes all Oranmore residents or those working in the area to avail of what has become a much loved resource and community space.
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