The public library service is a fantastic resource which offers more than just books to borrow. Public library users can access a number of online resources including:
See this page for more information
All public library services in Ireland share the same catalogue, letting you reserve and borrow books from other library service in Ireland. So if the book you're looking for is not in your local library but sits on the shelf in a library at the other end of the country, you can request it and it will be delivered to your local library for you to pick up. How neat is that?
The public libraries use a system called the Dewey Decimal Classification System to organise books. Here are Dewey numbers related to metal fabircation
So if you see for example 671.52 on the spine of a book, you'll know that means the book's subject is Welding (or some aspect thereof).