Corporate Information

Board

The principal functions of the National Library of Ireland Board are:

“to conserve, restore, maintain and enlarge the library material in the collection of the Library for the benefit of the public and to establish and maintain a record of library material (including material relating to the Irish language) in relation to Ireland and to contribute to the provision of access by members of the public to material relating to other countries.”

Chairperson: Eoin McVey
Deputy Chairperson: Prof Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh

Learn more about the NLI Board members here.

Approved Board minutes:

2024:

29 February

2023:

2022:

2021:

Image of board members 2023 — John Cox, University of Galway Librarian; Caitriona Sharkey, board member; John Grenham, board member; Dr Audrey Whitty, Director of the National Library of Ireland; Eoin McVey, chair of the board; Dr Marie Bourke, board member; Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, deputy chair and President of the University of Galway.

Committees

The Committees assist and advise the Board

Readers Advisory Committee: assists and advises the Board on NLI services.

Chairperson: Lorelei Harris

Members:
Lian Bell
Michael Diviney
Harry Hughes
Liam O’Brien
Prof Mary O’Dowd

Committee on Genealogy and Heraldry: assists and advises the Board on the NLI functions, genealogy and heraldry.

Chairperson: John Grenham

Members:
Dr Marie Bourke
Catriona Crowe
Lisa Grimm
Tony Hennessy
Nicola Morris
Dr Rachel Murphy
Prof Kalpana Shankar

Ex-officio:
Dr Audrey Whitty, Director
Colette O’Flaherty, Chief Herald of Ireland

Audit and Risk Committee: assist and advise the Board on the NLI’s risk, control, governance and associated assurances.

Chairperson: Prof Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh

Members:
Prof Philip O'Regan
Catriona Sharkey
Genevieve Wyeth

You can contact the Committees by emailing boardandcommittees@nli.ie

Director

The Director is the Chief Executive Officer who manages the NLI overall.

Current Director: Dr Audrey Whitty

Previous Directors:
Dr Sandra Collins 2015-2022
Fiona Ross 2010-2014
Aongus Ó hAonghusa 2003-2009
Brendan O Donoghue 1997-2003
Seán Cromien 1997
Dr Patricia Donlon 1989-1997
Michael Hewson 1982-1988
Alf MacLochlainn 1976-1982
Dr Patrick Henchy 1967-1976
Dr Richard J. Hayes 1940-1967
Dr Richard Irvine Best 1924-1940
Dr Robert Lloyd Praeger 1920-1924
Thomas W. Lyster 1895-1920
William Archer 1878-1895

Leadership Team

The Leadership Team includes the Director and each head of the NLI’s departments.

The Leadership Team’s purpose is to successfully develop and drive the implementation of the NLI strategy, founded on the team’s expertise, showing leadership through collective decision making and shared responsibility.

Director: Dr Audrey Whitty
Email: awhitty@nli.ie
Telephone: 01 60 30 267

Deputy Director & Head of Estates: Brian O'Donnell
Email: bodonnell@nli.ie
Telephone: 01 60 30 240

Head of Communications and Development: Liz Coffey
Email: ecoffey@nli.ie
Telephone: 01 60 30 250

Head of Digital Collections: Eoghan Ó Carragáin
Email: eocarragain@nli.ie
Telephone: 01 60 30 219

Head of Exhibitions, Learning and Programming: Dr Sinéad McCoole
Email: smccoole@nli.ie
Telephone: 01 60 30 284

Head of Finance and Chief Risk Officer: Kathleen Ruane
Email: kruane@nli.ie
Telephone: 01 60 30 266

Head of Human Resources: Katy Lumsden
Email: klumsden@nli.ie
Telephone: 01 60 30 310

Head of Published Collections: Eoin McCarney
Email: emccarney@nli.ie
Telephone: 01 60 30 223

Head of Service Delivery: Sandra McDermott
Email: smcdermott@nli.ie
Telephone: 01 60 30 227

Keeper of Special Collections and Chief Herald of Ireland: Colette O'Flaherty
Email: coflaherty@nli.ie
Telephone: 01 60 30 230

NLI Organisational Chart

NLI Strategy

The National Library of Ireland’s strategy outlines our mission, vision and values and our strategic objectives for the period 2022-2026.

NLI Strategy 2022-2026 (PDF 2.9MB)

Corporate Policies

Acceptable Usage Policy (PDF, 301KB)
Access to Information on the Environment
Board Code of Conduct (PDF, 246KB)
CCTV Policy (PDF, 1MB)
Child Protection Policy 2023 (PDF, 953KB)
Child Safeguarding Statement 2021 (PDF, 207KB)
Collection Development Policy 2022 (PDF, 387KB)
Customer Charter (PDF, 623KB)
Digital Preservation Policy, 2023 (PDF, 145KB)
Protected Disclosure Policy (PDF, 749KB)
Service Action Plan (PDF, 393KB)
Social Media Policy

Corporate Reporting

Freedom of Information

The FOI Act 2014 provides that every person has the following legal rights:

the right to access official records held by Government Departments and all public bodies that conform to the provisions of Section 6 of the Act;
the right to have personal information held on them corrected or updated where such information is incomplete, incorrect or misleading; and
the right to be given reasons for decisions taken by public bodies that affect them.

These rights mean that from a certain date (21 April, 1998 in respect of the National Library), people can seek access to personal information held on them no matter when the information was created, and to other records created after 21 April, 1998.

How does FOI work?

The Act requires public bodies to respond to requests from the public for information they hold. In most cases, public bodies must give their decision on a request within 4 weeks of receiving it.

How can I make a FOI Request to the National Library of Ireland?

You should send a request either, in writing or by email, to:

Freedom of Information,
National Library of Ireland,
4 Kildare Street,
Dublin 2
Tel: +353 (1) 6030265
Email: foi@nli.ie

Your request should include the following:

A statement that the request is being made under the FOI Act;
As much information as possible about the records being sought;
In what format you wish to receive any records released (e.g. photocopies)

A response will be given no later than four weeks upon receipt of Request.

Can I get access to any information that I seek?

The following records come within the scope of the FOI Acts:

all records relating to personal information held by the National Library irrespective of when they were created
all other records created from the commencement of the FOI Act (21 April 1998)
any records necessary to the understanding of a current record even if created prior to 21 April 1998
personnel records of serving staff created from 21st April, 1995 and those created prior to that date where being used or proposed to be used in a way which adversely affects or may affect the person involved.

However, in order to allow business to be properly conducted, it will sometimes be necessary to exempt from release certain types of information in some circumstances. These are set out in the Act. Among the key exemptions are records relating to:

confidential and commercially sensitive information,
personal information (other than information relating to the person making the request).

Requests may also be refused if they are deemed too voluminous or unclear but the National Library is obliged to assist the requester in trying to overcome this.

Is there a charge for getting information under the FOI Act?

There is no charge for submitting a request. In respect of non-personal requests, other charges may be applied for the time spent finding records and for any reproduction costs incurred by the National Library in providing you with the material requested (search, retrieval and copying charges).

Where the cost of search, retrieval and copying is less than €101, no fee is charged. Where the cost of search, retrieval and copying is greater than €500 but less than €700, a maximum charge of €500 applies. Where the cost of search, retrieval and copying is greater than €700, the body can refuse to process the request.

Details of actual charges relating to your request will be notified to you in writing. Payment should be made by way of Electronic Funds Transfer or cheque or postal order made payable to the National Library of Ireland. Please contact the foi@nli.ie for bank details. A list of relevant fees is set out below:

List of Fees

There is no charge for submitting a request
Search and Retrieval – €20 per hour (for requests that exceed the €100 minimum in terms of search, retrieval and copying), subject to the ceilings mentioned above.
€0.04 per sheet for a photocopy
Internal review fee €30 (€10 for medical card holders)
Appeal to the Information Commissioner €50 (€15 for medical card holders)

Notes:

There is no charge if the records concerned contain only personal information relating to the applicant, unless there are a significant number of records.
If you are claiming a reduced application fee, the request must be accompanied by the Medical Card registration number, issuing Health Board name and your consent to the verification of these details with that Health Board.
A full list of fees is available on request.

What if I am not satisfied with the decision on my FOI request?

You may appeal any decision issued by the National Library by writing to the Freedom of Information Unit, National Library of Ireland, Dublin 2, seeking an Internal Review of the matter. A fee of €30 (€10 for medical card holders) may apply for such an appeal. There is no fee for internal review applications concerning only personal information relating to oneself or in relation to a decision to impose a fee or deposit.

You should make your appeal within four weeks from the date of response (although late appeals may be permitted in certain circumstances).The appeal will involve a complete reconsideration of the matter by a more senior member of staff of the Library and a decision will be communicated to you within three weeks.

What if I am not satisfied with the decision on internal review?

You may appeal the decision within six months by writing to the Office of the Information Commissioner. If you make an appeal the Information Commissioner will fully investigate and consider the matter and issue a fresh decision.

All appeals should be addressed to:

The Information Commissioner,
18 Lower Leeson Street,
Dublin 2
Tel: +353 (1) 639 5689
Locall: 1890 22 30 30
Fax: +353 (1) 639 5674
Email: info@oic.ie

A fee of €50 (€15 for medical card holders) may apply for such an application. Again, there is no fee for appeals to the Office of the Information Commissioner concerning only personal information relating to oneself or in relation to a decision to impose a fee or deposit.

Can I get help in making a request?

Yes. If you require any help the staff in the FOI Unit will be happy to assist you in the formulation of your request.

Do I need to make a FOI request to get information from the National Library of Ireland?

The National Library of Ireland routinely makes information available to the public through information leaflets, publications etc. This will continue. FOI provides an additional source of information by facilitating access to records not made routinely available.

Where can I get more information on FOI?

Further information on FOI is available from:

The Information Commissioner,
18 Lower Leeson Street,
Dublin 2
Tel: +353 (1) 639 5689
Locall: 1890 253 238
Fax: +353 (1) 639 5674
Email: info@oic.gov.ie

The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform,
Central Policy Unit,
Floor 3,
7-9 Merrion Row,
Dublin 2
Tel: +353 (1) 631 8258
Fax: +353 (1) 604 5750
Email: cpu@per.gov.ie

More comprehensive information on Freedom of Information, including the text of the Freedom of Information Act 2014 is available at www.foi.gov.ie.

Further information

Freedom of Information Publication Scheme (PDF, 532KB)
NLI Freedom of Information Manual (PDF, 57KB)

Visitor Figures

2023
Visitors*	179,331
Researcher Visits**	19,918
Online Visits***	927,104

2024	Q1	Q2
Visitors*	38,176	50,281
Researcher Visits**	6,352	13,086
Online Visits***	354,367	672,029

*Includes exhibition visitors to Museum of Literature our partner institution and onsite participants at events in Seamus Heaney:Listen Now Again, Kildare St Campus and National Photographic Archive

**Includes Main Reading Room, Manuscripts Reading Room and Family History Room

***nli.ie, registers.ie, sources.ie and nli online catalogue