Library
Library facilities & Services
The Library offers lending and reference services for both adults and Children in both traditional print media and multi-media formats such as talking books, cds, video and dvd. It has a total stock compliment of 40,000 items and is fully computerised.
Among the additional facilities on offer are:
- Books for loan- a wide selection of fiction and non-fiction books
- Online access to the library catalogue and e-government services.
Search Athlone's catalogue for a book - Large print books for those who find it difficult to read smaller print
- Reference & information services
- Local history collections
- Online access to the library catalogue and egovernment services via the Library IPAC
- National and local newspapers
- Magazines- of general and specific interest
- CD ROM facilities, Video viewing and Multi-Media informational packages
- Young Adult section
- Study facilities for students
- Children's section- with a range of material, including board books, books on tape, as well as information books to help with homework
- Public Internet Access via 18 dedicated computer stations
- Language learning resources
- Meeting room facilities for community exhibitions and events
- Events programme of talks, exhibitions, author visits etc.
It is easy to join - simply fill in a membership form, provide official identification to a member of staff and you will be issued with your library card straight away!
Aidan Heavey Public Library
This modern purpose-built facility replaces the old library which had been housed in the Fr. Mathew Hall, Athlone since 1949. Today the new Civic Centre and Library enjoys a town centre location. However it is built on the outer edges of the medieval town wall of Athlone and adjacent to St. Mary's Church of Ireland. A bastion of the town wall is preserved outside the main entrance and the line of the wall can be traced by a stainless steel track on the floor of the adult library.
Membership
In order to join the library it is necessary to show photo ID and the utility bill. Adults may borrow up to 8 per person, while children may borrow 4 items. Items are on loan for a three-week period.
It is possible to renew items, telephone or online using your personal library pin number which you can obtain when you join the library, provided the items have not been requested by another member. Library membership entitles you to use your membership card at any one of the branch libraries in the County, but the items must be returned to the library from which they were originally borrowed.
Please always bring your library membership card with you when you wish to avail of services.
Current membership charges are as follows :
- Adults : € 10.00
- Unwaged/Third Level Students : € 5.00
- Senior Citizens : Free
- Children/2nd Level Students : Free
Opening Hours:
Mon 10.00 a.m. - 5.30 p.m.
Tues 10.00 a.m. - 8.00 p.m.
Wed 11.00 a.m. - 5.30 p.m.
Thurs 10.00 p.m. - 8.00 p.m.
Fri 10.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m.
Sat 10.00 a.m. - 1.30 p.m.
Contact Aidan Heavey Public Library
Address: Athlone Civic Centre,Church Street, Athlone,Co. Westmeath
Tel: +353 (0)90 644 2157
Tel: +353 (0)90 644 2158
Tel: +353 (0)90 644 2159
Fax: +353 (0)90 649 4900
Email: athlib@westmeathcoco.ie
Senior Executive Librarian: Gearoid O'Brien, DLIS, FLAI,
Executive Librarian: Mae McLynn, Dip.Lib.
