But free books are not the only draw, and our libraries have grown into places for free web access, free DVDs, free self-improving talks, free readings, free newspapers, free magazines and free book clubs. By then I’d started to read young adult books and we had moved house. A post on the national library website says: “We are encouraging members of the public to return undamaged, overdue library items to their local libraries. Marsh’s Library in St Patrick’s Close, adjacent to the cathedral of the same name, was the first public library in Ireland, opening its doors 1707 at the order of the splendidly named Archbishop Narcissus Marsh. Ireland’s first local authority public library was the Free Public Library in Dundalk, which was opened in 1858.

Source: The Irish Times April 01, 2019 01:07 UTC