CONFIRMED: Naas library is to relocate to the town hall

The controversial transfer of the Naas community library is to go ahead - after local councillors voted overwhelmingly in favour of closing the facility at the canal harbour.

It’ll cost €5.9m all in to provide a state of the library which will also host a range of other cultural and educational activities.

Only one councillor, Seamie Moore, was against the plan who said the harbour building is “a suitable site with a great design and layout.”

The vote took place at a Naas Municipal District meeting today.

The veteran politician also expressed the fear that the vacated building would join two others located across the canal which were used by the Health Service Executive but are now unoccupied.

Cllr. Moore also said there is not enough parking in the vicinity of the town hall to cope with the numbers who would visit a library there.

However Kildare County Librarian Marian Higgins said the current facility was delivered in 1992 as a purpose built library reflecting the need then.

However the population of Naas has grown to 21,393 in 2016 from 11,000 when it opened. And there have been population rises in other areas it serves  - Kill, Caragh, Johnstown and Sallins.

Ms. Higgins also said the 743 square metres of library space “is unable to cope with the increased footfall and demands on service and expectations around customer experience.” 

She added: “We should have 50 pcs but we have only 12.”

She predicted that future service delivery will be adversely affected if it stays put and a move would bring much needed footfall into Naas town centre.

Cllr. Carmel Kelly said the move will provide Naas with a cultural quarter in the town hall “a beautiful building that’s completely underutilised.”

The library serves the needs of 50,000 people in total.