Libraries aren't what they used to be. Not long ago, a trip to the local public library entailed dropping into a small, slightly musty, probably Victorian building and borrowing a well-thumbed hardback. Now, you're more likely to find yourself in a new, custom-built building decked out with computers, audio-visual equipment and self-issue desks.

Many people - library users as well as local authorities and library staff - welcome the change. "It's a great time to be working in the library service," says project librarian with Fingal County Council, Richie Farrell. "Libraries are evolving in line with changes in work practice, the value people put on their leisure time and so on. We are addressing such social changes by putting in services that are relevant and useful. Technology is a good example of that."

In theory, there should be no contradiction between the digital and traditional approaches. Books and computers are both channels through which people can access knowledge and information. But not everybody is happy. Some old hands feel the traditional attraction of libraries is being lost.

Arthur Killeen has visited his local library once a week for more than 40 years. "I used to love going down and spending an hour or so reading the paper and choosing my books, but now it's full of youngsters running from one computer to another. Everything these days seems to be for the young people. The pubs have all become noisy madhouses. Now the libraries are being taken over as well."

Since the Public Libraries' Act was introduced in 1850 to "raise educational standards throughout society", libraries have been central to adult education and self-improvement. At the opening of Manchester's public library in 1852, the first in Britain or Ireland, Charles Dickens described it as a "source of pleasure and improvements in the cottages, the garrets and the ghettos of the poorest of our people".

During the Victorian era, libraries were built in an extravagant style meant to convey the importance of learning and often funded by philanthropists, notably Andrew Carnegie (1835-1919), the working-class Scottish boy who forged himself into legend as a US steel magnate and who built 2,800 libraries across the English-speaking world, including Ireland. "There is not such a cradle of democracy upon the earth," he said, "as the free public library, this republic of letters where neither rank, office nor wealth receives the slightest consideration."

Once these valuable institutions came under the care of the Irish State, however, they were only half-heartedly supported. All through the 20th century, librarians grappled with inadequate budgets, poor staff training and, consequently, poor membership levels, low usage and borrowing figures. Despite our view of ourselves as a book-loving country, average annual library-book issues per capita (3.4) lag well behind other European countries, such as Denmark (14.8), or the UK (8.7).

In 1998 (the most recent year for which figures are available), there were 824,985 registered members in the public-library system, equivalent to 23 per cent of the population, although the Library Council points out that membership figures do not reflect the increasing level of usage by adults of the reference, information and other services, such as local history and exhibitions.

Such usage is not currently recorded in any systematic or comprehensive fashion. One survey produced for the Department of Education by the educational research centre at St Patrick's College, Drumcondra - Education 2000 - suggests usage levels of 38 per cent. Another Combat Poverty/Arts Council survey cites 60 per cent. What is clear is that throughout the 1990s and now into the 21st century, libraries are being used more and more, as increased State and lottery funding provides capital grants for refurbishment and new buildings. And, of course, the high-tech explosion is revolutionising what goes on inside these modernised buildings.

The challenge for local authorities and library managers has been to realign the local library's position in the social landscape while remaining true to its founding ethos. A good example of this approach is the new Blanchardstown library which opened just seven weeks ago. At almost 30,000 square feet of light, lofty, custom-built space, this is the largest public library in the country. Constructed of yellow brick, brushed aluminium panels and lots of glass, which allows a high level of natural light without the intrusion of direct sunlight, this new building is wheelchair accessible, has a "loop system" for those with aided hearing, and repeats all its main signs on Braille touch-pads.

The library encompasses adult, young adult and junior sections (all superbly fitted out), as well as facilities for reference and research, an exhibition space, a lecture hall equipped with every possible type of audio-visual equipment, meeting rooms and a computer room with 48 PCs. A raised floor carries all electrical and data cables below the finished floor, allowing for flexibility of layout and the upgrading of IT facilities in the future. Computer and Internet services are free of charge.

And of course you can also borrow books, music and even artwork for your walls. Blanchardstown's collection comprises more than 100,000 lending items in all.

The response from the local community has been very positive, says senior librarian, Evelyn Conway. "We've had community groups, the schools, women's groups and so on in for tours and they have all been really enthusiastic.

"The kinds of facilities we offer add new dimensions to people's experience of the library service. For example, we have many non-nationals coming in to e-mail their relatives at home. Being able to have this contact with home, free of charge, really makes a difference to their lives."

Arthur Killeen, whose own library has been refurbished, agrees that such facilities are useful, but questions whether the library service is the best method of delivery. "I don't think the library is the right place for computers," he complains. "Why can't they have a separate space for all their high-tech business and keep the library for what it has always been used for - books." Others complain that older library spaces are being closed in order to build these new , at Roselawn shopping centre, had to close when the new premises opened. "People become very attached to the space they are used to and we know some people were reluctant to see Roselawn go. But we have to aim to reach the widest possible numbers."

Being near the supermarket and other shops and having a number of bus routes stopping outside the door help achieve this end, she believes. As does staying open throughout lunch hour and for a total of 52 hours each week.

While the package has changed, the core values that led to the establishment of public libraries remain intact.

Blanchardstown library is located in Blanchardstown shopping centre and all around it are the kinds of buildings that we now expect to find in our towns, new and old: supermarkets, chain stores, burger joints, a cinema multiplex. Only the library embodies non-commercial values. In all the other buildings the people of Blanchardstown buy, but here they borrow. Outside they are persuaded to part with their money; in here they are encouraged to invest in their knowledge, intelligence and imagination.

And despite the glossy, high-tech surroundings, the poor, the homeless and the lonely are as welcome as they have always been in libraries. In our ever more segregated society, the library remains one of the few places where the ages, sexes and classes mix. At one desk, two bored-looking teenagers sit opposite an older man who is reading the paper. An unemployed young man consults an on-line job site. A woman receives an e-mailed photograph of her new grandson from her daughter in Singapore. Another woman sits in the reference section with stacks of local-history books growing around her.

"Our aim in the library service now is to marry the best traditional values with the best of modern design, comfort and technology," says Richie Farrell. "And we like to think that we're succeeding."