Laois County Library Service will begin to offer more library services to the public as outlined in Phase 2 of the Government’s Roadmap for re-opening society and business from week commencing the 8th of June 2020 .
The first phase of these services will be a “Call and Collect” service in some of the major branch Libraries. Library patrons must contact branch libraries directly in advance to place an order of books/DVDs/CDs etc that are currently available in Laois Library branches. A time for collection will be given, and one member of a household can enter the lobby of the library to pick up the order. Members of the public are not permitted to enter the main library area at this time and are asked to use hand sanitiser and adhere to social distancing guidelines when collecting items. Library patrons can also return their outstanding loans to the library.
Before you visit the library
Please do not enter the library if you or someone in your household has symptoms of COVID 19.
If you have borrowed books from the library and you or a member of your household has developed symptoms of COVID 19, you should not return borrowed items until you/they have completed a 14 day isolation period and are fever free for at least five days.
On foot of public health advice, customers visiting our buildings are requested to wear a face mask.
Please help us to ensure that your visit to the library is as safe as possible by:
- Sanitising your hands on entry to the library and before handling library material.
- Performing respiratory hygiene and good cough etiquette.
- Avoiding touching your face.
‘Book a Browse’ at Branch Libraries.
Laois Libraries -Phase 3 Reopening to the public on a browsing/borrowing basis from Tuesday 30th June in line with Phase 3 of the Government Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business. As part of our phased reopening, Laois Libraries are delighted to launch a new “Book a Browse” by appointment service. This service is now available in Portlaoise, Portarlington and Mountmellick Branch Libraries.
Library members can phone and speak to a staff member at Portlaoise 057 8622333, Portarlington 057 8643751 and Mountmellick 057 8644572 to book a date and time to visit the library. Library patrons can enter the library to browse the shelves and borrow items, subject to social distancing requirements. Browsing time is limited to 30 minutes per person. for further details you can click on your preferred link for your library opening hours and the public browsing time table the timetable applies to Portlaoise and Mountmellick only.
https://laois.ie/departments/libraries/branch-libraries/portlaoise/
https://laois.ie/departments/libraries/branch-libraries/portarlington/
https://laois.ie/departments/libraries/branch-libraries/mountmellick-library/
Laois Libraries are working hard to ensure the safety of our customers and staff. We will arrange an appointment with each customer to ensure that social distancing guidelines are adhered to at all times. The health and safety of library customers and staff is at the forefront of all decisions regarding the gradual re-opening of library services. The library management team are working with national guidelines in relation to social distancing and sanitation to provide safe library services.
Laois library branches will offer the “Call and Collect ” services and all library materials can be returned to these locations at the following days and times:
See more information on Call & Collect Service and branch libraries opening hours
Ballylinan branch library will not be offering this service on this phase and will remain closed to the public. Our customers from this branch (closed) can avail of the Call and Collect services in Portlaoise, Portarlington, Abbeyleix, Durrow, Mountmellick, Mountrath, Rathdowney and Stradbally Libraries.
Online Storytime
You can keep up to date with Laois Libraries live videos, on Laois Libraries facebook page. Baby book club, 0-3yrs,Tuesday and Thursday, weekly at 10.30am. Bookbugs club, 4-7yrs, Friday, weekly at 10.30am. Bedtime stories Friday, weekly, 7.30pm. Children’s craft, 4-7yrs, Wednesday, weekly at 11.30am https://www.facebook.com/LaoisLibraries/
Mobile Phone Photography Competition 12th July-12 August 2020
Laois Library Service invites all young photographers to enter our photography competition! Send us a snapshot you’ve taken on your phone of Laois landscape or townscape. We are not looking for professional cameras and fancy editing, we want to see your eye for beauty in our beautiful county of Laois!
The competition is open to Age Categories 13-15 and 16-18 years. Closing date for entries 12th August 2020.
Application Forms can be collected in Portlaoise, Portarlington, Abbeyleix, Durrow, Mountmellick, Mountrath, Rathdowney and Stradbally branch libraries. Please return your completed form to any of the above branches. You can click on the links to download an application form and competition rules here –Photo Comp- Application Form
Please contact these numbers for all library queries
Portlaoise Library 057 8622333 and 057 8594982 (Dial full Number)
Email : library@laoiscoco.ie for more information.
Updates will be posted on the library website https://laois.ie/departments/libraries/ and on library social media channels.
https://www.facebook.com/LaoisLibraries/
https://www.twitter.com/LaoisLibrary
Patrons can still access the full range of online services – eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines, on the library website:https://laois.ie/departments/libraries/online-resources/
https://www.librariesireland.ie/news/online-services-during-coronavirus
Laois County Library Service apologise for any inconvenience caused and hope to resume normal service as soon as possible.
Welcome to Laois County Libraries. We are a network of 10 branches, 4 full-time and 6 part-time, serving the library needs of the county and surrounding areas.
Find us on Twitter and Facebook
Fighting Words Laois-Volunteers Needed!
Laois County Library Service in association with Local Creative Youth
Partnership / LOETB and supported by Creative Ireland Laois is
establishing a FIGHTING WORDs programme in Laois. The aim is to help
children, young people, and adults to discover and harness the power
of their imaginations and creative writing skills.
If you are interested in becoming a Fighting Words volunteer, contact the Laois County Library Service Fighting Words Coordinator, Jackie McIntyre on 057 8594980 or email jmcintyre@laoiscoco.ie for more information.
You may then be invited to fill out an online volunteer application form and attend an Information Event and/or Training Session in Mountmellick Library in late summer 2020.
For more information see:Fighting Words Laois Volunteer Information 2-4-2020
Library Headquarters and Local History
Address: Laois County Library HQ, The Old Mill, Church Street, Portlaoise, R32 HDA3.
Phone: 0578594982 /0578594983/05785 94985 (please use full number when dialling)
Email: library@laoiscoco.ie
Hours of Business: Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm