Waterford City Library, Carnegie library in Waterford, Ireland
Waterford City Library is a public library in Waterford that displays sections of medieval city walls beneath the floor through glass panels. The building sits above Lady's Gate and holds an extensive collection of books, digital resources, and educational materials.
The library was founded in 1903 by Andrew Carnegie as the first Carnegie library in Ireland and was built from limestone. It marks the beginning of a movement to advance public education that the American industrialist championed across Europe.
The library functions as a gathering place where local residents access books, media, and computers for learning and discovery. It connects the community with European resources and creates a space where people of all ages meet and share.
The building is centrally located and easy to find near Lady's Gate, with access to a wide range of resources for different interests. Visitors should not overlook the glass floor panels, which offer an unusual view of the history beneath their feet.
The 2004 renovation modernized the historic building while making ancient city walls visible beneath glass panels. This combined solution shows how old and new architecture can work together to connect past and present.
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