Libraries to close for second consecutive weekend amid ongoing electrical issues

Kinsella Hall and the 1937 Postgraduate Reading Room will be closed from 4pm Saturday evening

College has announced further library closures amidst ongoing electrical faults which led to unexpected closures last weekend.

Kinsella Hall and the 1937 Postgraduate Reading Room will be closed from 4pm Saturday evening to facilitate “essential electrical work”.

According to college the libraries will be closed for “a few hours”, however an exact time frame has not been provided. 

In an email announcing the closure which was sent out to all students today, College apologised for any inconvenience caused to students.

The Hamilton Library will serve as an alternative 24/7 study for students this weekend and will remain fully open from 4pm Saturday until 9am Monday.

The library complex which consists of the Ussher, Lecky and former Berkeley libraries, was forced to close last weekend due to an electrical fault.

Reportedly, the electrical issue also caused the temporary closure of the Old Library, affecting tourists.

On X/Twitter, the College library confirmed that the Ussher has “been experiencing intermittent electrical issues”.

Speaking about the closures on social media last weekend, Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union (TCDSU) President Jenny Maguire criticised College for “spending millions on new facilities while our current spaces crumble,” adding that students and staff should be prioritised more than “flashy builds”.

“Though new research and library space is welcome, it is vital that the current structures are not actively going to shit.”

“The library team do amazing work – college must act to reflect this,” she added.

Charlotte Kent

Charlotte Kent is the Co-News Editor at Trinity News and a Senior Freshman PPES Student.