*County Librarians – former County Librarian Noel Crowley joined current County Librarian Helen Walsh at the Memories of De Valera Library 1975-2024 event
LIBRARY users together with past and present staff of Clare County Libraries gathered to recall stories of de Valera library.
In situ for forty nine years, the library building is to be vacated, and services moved to the new state-of-the-art County Library on Causeway Link, Ennis when it opens its doors to the public later this year.
On Wednesday last, there was plenty of reminiscing on the near five decade history of the County Library stretching back to its 1975 opening.
Retired County Librarian Noel Crowley, who oversaw the construction of the architect-designed building in the mid-1970s, recalled how the building and services were considered innovative at the time and continued to meet the needs of the public for generations.
Senior Executive Librarian, Dolores Meaney, outlined a detailed history of the building for attendees while Caroline Collins, Senior Library Assistant, shared the excitement of the local teenagers about the new facility when it first opened. “It brought culture into their lives, not only with the offering of books provided but by putting on exhibitions and talks,” she said.
Clare County Librarian, Helen Walsh, who has taken up the mantel for the development for the next era of library services in Clare, shared her memories of working in the “de Valera Library” in the 1990s, before members of the audience shared their memories of former events and colleagues.
