The National Library of Ireland is a cultural institution under the aegis of the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism. Its mission is to collect, preserve and make available books, manuscripts and illustrative material of Irish interest.
Users of the Library have a wide variety of interests. They can include those engaged in long-term research with a view to a book or article and those with a specific once off need.

The National Library is open, free of charge, to all that want and need to use it. A Reader’s Ticket is necessary in order to consult most categories of material.

The Library does not lend books and reading is done in the various reading rooms. There is also a copying service and it is possible to get photocopies, photographs, slides, or microfilm of most items in the collections. The Library has an ongoing programme of exhibitions.

Donations of material are always most welcome; in addition, those wishing to make a financial contribution towards the work of the National Library by donation or bequest may do so through the National Library of Ireland Trust. There is also a support group, the National Library of Ireland Society, which is concerned with promoting and publicising the Library. Membership is open to all those with an interest in the Library and the heritage in its care.