COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, December 16, 2020

MOTION NO. 10

MOTION: Councillor F. Timmons

That this committee supports the ''Joe Williams Archives'' committee and asks South Dublin County Council report on where the entire invaluable collection could be stored. It may be of use to future generations as a historical record of Clondalkin and surrounding areas.  We ask for a full and detailed report on what options are available for the collection within South Dublin County Council.

REPORT:

"The housing of the Joe Williams archive of books has been the subject of long discussions over a number of years. It was the Council’s understanding that the archive would be housed in a local school however it is believed that this option is no longer available. 

Space in the libraries and at the Round Tower Visitor Centre is at a premium.  South Dublin County Council was successful in securing some funding from Fáilte Ireland under the Surprising Stories grant funding scheme, which aimed to improve interpretation and the visitor experience at operating visitor attractions in line with Fáilte Ireland guidelines. The long term housing of the archive will form part of this review. The improvements will include creating a space for temporary /revolving exhibitions which could include exhibiting books from the Joe Williams archive on a temporary basis and the Council will invite relevant local groups once works have been completed to discuss curating a range of temporary and changing exhibitions.  

The Council must have a full and clear understanding of the circumstances around the Joe Williams book archive to include details on display, curatorial, accessibility and housing requirements of this collection. 

In the meantime, the library service has digitised a lot of material from Mr. Williams' collection and it is now available on Source, the library’s online local studies resource. Moreover Joe Williams' books have been made available for sale in the retail space at the Round Tower Visitor Centre. Copies are also available in the County Library".