James Hardiman Library

The James Hardiman Library is situated centrally, close to the Concourse, the Arts Millennium Building and Áras na Gaeilge. ==History==

The Library is named in honour of James Hardiman, who was the university's first librarian. ==Legal deposit library status==

According to the Ireland's Copyright and Related Rights Act, 2000, the James Hardiman Library is entitled, along with the National Library of Ireland, the British Library and Trinity College Library, as well as libraries at UCC, UCD, MU, UL, and DCU, to receive a copy of all works published in the Republic of Ireland. Section 198(1) of the Act states "the publisher of any book published in the state, shall, within one month after publication, deliver, at his or her own expense, a copy of the book to each of the following…", then lists the libraries concerned. ==Archives==

The James Hardiman Library houses more than three hundred archival collections which range from the fifteenth century onwards. Numerous archives relating to literature, theatre and other items of cultural merit to be found there include the following: History • A collection of books about the Williamite Wars (1689-91) in Ireland and its aftermath, donated by the son of a graduate of the University • The John McGahern Archive (John McGahern) this archive includes Kilroy's academic criticism, papers relating to his board membership of The Field Day Theatre Company and his collaboration with The Abbey Theatre, as well as notes, drafts, scripts, and production material relating to all of Kilroy's plays. Correspondence featured includes from the Seamuses: Deane and Heaney; Mary Lavin, John McGahern, various agents, publishers, theatre practitioners and the general public. On 22 March 2011, a public interview with Kilroy, moderated by Professor Adrian Frazier (with an introduction by Doctor Lionel Pilkington), was held at the University of Galway to mark the donation; amongst those in attendance were Brian Friel and Michael D. Higgins. • Máirtín Ó Direáin • The literary papers of Eoghan Ó Tuairisc • The Druid Theatre Archive (Druid Theatre Company) • The Arthur Shields Archive (Arthur Shields) billed as the largest digital theatre archive in the world. • In 2016, digitisation of the Gate Theatre archives commenced. • The John Arden and Margaretta D'Arcy Archive (John Arden and Margaretta D'Arcy) launched on 24 November 2017. Screen • The John Huston Archive (John Huston) Other • The Galway Arts Festival Archive (Galway Arts Festival) • In 2014 the Kevin Boyle (lawyer) archive was added for the study of human rights. ==Constituent buildings==

According to an internal newsletter from February 2009, the James Hardiman Library at that time spanned four floors and housed 424,843 books and 1,645 study spaces. The new Nursing & Midwifery Library opened in June 2009. It spans three floors and can be accessed via the James Hardiman Library. The university's Nursing Library had previously been located in Dangan. ==See also==