COUNTY Monaghan’s new Library Headquarters in Clones was officially opened on Thursday last by Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, John Gormley.

The 1, 450 sq m building, located on Jubilee Road, Clones, was constructed at a cost of over €7 million by Monaghan County Council aided by 75 per cent funding from the Department of the Environment, Heritage & Local Government. The library now boasts some 22,000 books, almost a 100 per cent increase on its previous stock, while its previous four computers has increased to fourteen complete with internet access.

Mayor of County Monaghan Gary Carville deemed the official opening ‘one of the highpoints in the history of this county’.

“This is a great day for Monaghan County Council. Today, the people of Clones have a new Library and a new garden. I hope that this fine edifice in the heart of this ancient town will inspire people to develop, to renew and re-generate.”

“I hope the people of Clones will play their part, to renew once again their real commitment to progress, to the built environment and moreover, to the future of Clones. This town does not yet have everything it needs, but working together we can make that a reality,”

Mayor Carville continued.

Minister Gormley said the new library was an ‘inspirational place’.

“I see a bright, modern community space, a place where Clones’ rich history can be researched and enjoyed and a place where the visitors to this library can enrich their lives through meeting others, through studying, learning languages or through borrowing books and music.”

Mayor Carville paid tribute to County Librarian Joe McElvaney’s ‘outstanding skills, his ability to achieve enormous tasks and his tremendous interest in the library service’. Mayor Carville also gave special thanks to County Manager, Declan Nelson for his commitment to the project.

Thanks were also extended to Adge King, Director of Services, Kevin McNally, Project Manager and Catherine Elliott, Senior Executive Librarian, all librarian staff, Keith Williams Architects, London, PKS Davies Langdon, Quantity Surveyors, and to ARUP, Mechanical and Structural Engineers.