Bettytown Library marks opening chapter

Tomorrow (Tuesday) marks the first anniversary of the opening of Bettystown Library with a programme of events taking place throughout the day to celebrate the milestone.

Since opening a year ago, Bettystown Library has welcomed more than 5,000 new borrowers, loaned more than 57,000 books, dvds and other items and hosted 569 events in its meetings rooms.

Located in the East Meath Civic Centre, overlooking the sea, Bettystown Library probably has the best views of any library in the country.

First opening its doors on 24th February 2025, over the past year it has become very much embedded in the East Meath community, which had been without its own library service for two decades.

On Friday, staff were delighted to learn that Bettystown Library has been shortlisted as an Island of Ireland Regional and Country Finalist for the Library of the Year 2026, a category of the British Book Awards, which is sponsored by DK in association with the Reading Agency.

Events to mark the first anniversary including an exhibition of work by the 'Open Book Craft Group' one of the very successful groups that meeting in the library.

'Bettystown Library in Pictures' will feature photos from the early stages of the build right up to its opening as we as of the various events that have taken place there over the past 12 months.

A story-time session and a monster doodle takes place from 3.30pm-4.30pm (booking required).

A bedtime story session is from 6pm to 6.30pm (booking required) and performance by the Buvinda Choir gets underway at 7.30pm (booking required).

There will also be birthday competitions throughout the day.

Executive Librarian Aoife Carberry is delighted with how the first year has gone for the library.

"We are blown away by the support we have received. It is so lovely to get to know the different members and organisations within the area and to work towards the best service we can possible be for them, "she said.

"We have been very lucky, we have had incredible support from the community here. We've worked closely with a number or organisations, schools and special interest groups in the area as well. We just want to thank the community for welcoming us as well as they have and we look forward to continuing to work with them as the years go by."

She spoke of how libraries are no longer quiet hushed places but are vibrant places with a wide variety of events and initiatives that go far beyond just borrowing books.

"The biggest message we want to get out is that libraries are open to everyone, everyone is welcome. We have our books. We have plenty of events, loads of initiatives we work on, in Meath we have STEAM kits and backpacks to borrow, home energy kits to borrow, a huge range of online resources, audio books, ebooks, courses where you can upskill or develop a new hobby, language learning courses and books in other languages."

"There is a huge wealth of things in libraries, covering all ages and all interests."