Shantallow Library celebrates 25 years of serving the local community

There were big celebrations on Monday to mark the 25th anniversary of the opening of Shantallow Library in Derry. The library has been at the heart of the local community since 1992. To mark the anniversary, users of the library were invited to come along to a celebration of the valued community hub. The library first opened to the public in January 1981. However, only months later it was forced to close following a series of arson attacks. Three years later, in 1984, a limited service was made possible through the co-operation of St Brigid’s High School and for five years the branch shared the school library. In autumn 1989, the public library moved to premises in the local youth club. Eventually, the current Shantallow Library opened to the public in the current premises on December 5, 1991, and was officially opened the following month by then Mayor of Derry and Shantallow resident, Mary Bradley. The library has since gone from strength to strength and continues to offer a large collection books to meet the educational, informational and leisure needs of both adults and children. There is also free computer use with high speed internet access to all its users and printing facilities. Shantallow Library is a vital place for local people and groups to learn, grow, meet and socialise. Marie-Elaine Tierney, the Branch Library Manager, said the library has played a central role in the community in Shantallow for the past 25 years. “It is a place where mothers/carers and toddlers come enthusiastically every Tuesday morning for a Rhythm and Rhyme session where songs and rhymes are learnt. “Children are introduced early to the joy of books and adults have the opportunity to meet and socialise with other parents and carers. “Research has shown that it is hard to under-estimate the value of learning rhymes makes to the language development of young children.” Ms Tierney continued: “For many of our local children Shantallow Library has played a significant part in their lives from early childhood coming with their nursery school right through to teenage years. “It is a place where they have met up with their friends done their homework, studied for exams and always been assured of a warm welcome.” People of all ages avail of the library, from babies and young students to older members of the community. “It is a place where many users have learnt in an informal friendly atmosphere how to use the internet, how to keep in contact with family abroad and how to book a flight to go and visit them,” said Ms Tierney. “Staff are always on hand to offer guidance and support for any user experiencing difficulties using the computer. “A group of local residents also meet regularly for ‘Knit and Natter’ where knitting patterns and ideas are exchanged, the problems of the world are solved and lifelong friends are made. “We look forward to continuing to work closely with the Shantallow Community and will continue to develop the service to meet the needs of the whole community.”