Portlaoise Library

Portlaoise New Library , Main Street , Portlaoise , Co. Laois

Laois County Council are delighted to officially open new County Library on Main Street, Portlaoise .The new library will offer an enhanced and expanded library service for all of the county and its citizens .The new library is not only a place to borrow books, study or perform a task, Portlaoise Library will also be a place to relax and recharge in the heart of the town. The library will be a welcoming space, freely accessible and the main street location will make it within easy reach for all the community. The library will be a child friendly space inviting children, schools and families making the library a social space for parents as well as children. For many in the community, Portlaoise Library will be a sanctuary providing a clean, warm and calm environment.

The County Library will facilitate the provision of educational and cultural information, provide free digital access and free community public space for the community and our visitors. Occupying a central location on the Main Street the library will form a significant element of The Cultural Quarter development in the historic core of Portlaoise showcasing and promoting the Fort Protector and Fitzmaurice Place .

Monday : 10:00am -5:00pm

Tuesday: 10:00am – 5:00pm

Wednesday: 10:00am – 7:30pm

Thursday: 10:00am -7:30pm

Friday: 10:00am – 5:00pm

Saturday: 10:00am – 4:00pm*

Closed on Saturday of Bank Holiday Weekend

Contact Details

Phone: 057 8622333

Email: portlaoiselibrary@laoiscoco.ie

Address: 23 Lower Main Street, Portlaoise , Co. Laois R32 N7EP

Services

Borrowing service for Adults, Teens and Children including fiction, non-fiction, DVDs, CDs, magazines
Daily Newspapers available
Study desks (subject to availability)
PC usage and Internet browsing available for Adults, Teens and Children
Printing, photocopying and scanning available including Click & Collect service – see details here: https://www.printcopyandgo.com/print_locations/portlaoise/
Local History section
Europe Direct Information Centre
Library of Sanctuary

News & Events

For an up to date list of all upcoming library events, click here.

Portlaoise Library Upcoming Events

Summer Stars

Children’s Summer Reading Adventure 2023

Summer Stars is now drawing to a close, please can you return your reading cards to the library.

Portlaoise Library, would like to invite all the children who registered for summer stars 2023 presentation day! The presentation of medals will take place throughout the day on Saturday, 30^th September from 11:00am.

Culture Night Friday 22^nd September at 5:00pm.

Portlaoise Library will host a staged performance by the Laois African Support Group with music, dance, poetry, storytelling and food. All are welcome.

Local History Coffee Morning

Join us at Portlaoise Library for a local history coffee & chat, to chat and learn about your local history taking place on Saturday 23^rd September at 11.30am all are welcome to come along.

Positive Aging Week 1-7th October 2023

What is Positive Aging Week (PAW)?

Positive Ageing Week (PAW) is an initiative by Age Action to celebrate the contributions of older people and to promote their agency. The event emphasises the positive aspects of aging and the significant roles older individuals play in our communities and families. The week-long event happens yearly, and aims to challenge stereotypes and misconceptions about aging and to highlight the positivity and vitality of older age. Portlaoise Library have a fun packed Positive Aging week of events. To register your interest please contact the library.

Regular Groups

Child/Teen Groups

Tales and Adventures Storytime

A weekly children’s Storytime, taking place on Wednesday, 20th September at 4.00pm, recommended for 4-7 years all are welcome.

Baby Book Club

Baby book club uses songs, stories, books and rhymes to build a foundation to literacy in your baby and toddler through sound awareness for ages 0-3years, fortnightly. Taking place on Thursday, 21st September at 10.30am

Lego Club

Children’s Lego free play taking place in our New premises on Main Street every Saturday from 11:00am – 1:00pm (except on bank holidays) All are welcome

Young Adult Online Book Club

Do you like the idea of a young adult book club? A book club is a great way of discussing books and different genre’s and to share your passion for books and reading. Laois Libraries are hosting a new young adult online book club through Zoom TBC.. You can register your interest by Email portlaoiselibrary@laoiscoco.ie

Adult Groups

French Classes for Adults & Children

Europe Direct in an association with Portlaoise Library are introducing French for beginner, 6 weeks course. Classes starting Thursday, 14^th September at 6.30pm. French beginner, 5 weeks course for children starting Saturday, 16^th September at 2.00pm recommended for 8-12 years. To register your interest please contact the library.

Genealogy Club:

Join us at Portlaoise Library for our genealogy club- chat with family enthusiasts and learn from their experiences your unique family history stories. Next meeting takes place on Wednesday, 20th September at 7.00pm.

Literature at Eleven

Do you love the social aspect of book clubs, but don’t want to commit to reading a whole book? Would you like to make new friends in your community? Portlaoise Library’s Literature at Eleven, Featuring poetry and prose readings by staff members, with tea, coffee provided and a chat about literature, life and lots more. Next meeting takes place Thursday, 28^th September at 11.00am

Chapter One Book Club

Do you like the idea of a morning book club? Portlaoise Library are hosting a morning club. This is a great way to get together as a group and talk about your shared passion for books and reading. The book club meet on the last Friday of each month. Next meeting takes place on Friday, 29th September at 11:00am.

Portlaoise Library Adult Evening Book Club:

Join us for a group discussion on books that you have read and would like to read. The group meet each month on Wednesdays. Next meeting takes place on Wednesday, 4th October at 6.30pm

Knitting Circle The Knitting Circle, Meet, mingle and trade yarns with local knitters! Come to a Knitters Meetup and have fun comparing patterns, sharing techniques and tips on stitches the group meet weekly on Wednesday mornings from 11:00am-1:00pm

Ciorcal Comhrá Whether you are fluent or have a cúpla focal, you are invited to join this Irish Conversation group. The group will meet for a chat so come along and Join us for our weekly chat in Irish – Irish conversation. Wednesdays at 5:30pm-6:30pm.

Online Activities

Why not visit our facebook page to see what’s on at your local library. https://www.facebook.com/laoislibraries

you can visit our Instagram @Laois_libraries

and Twitter @LaoisLibraries

We continue to offer a range of services online including ebooks, eaudiobooks, newspapers and magazines which are all available for FREE with your library card. You can even sign up for a free course! You can visit our page on https://laois.ie/departments/libraries/online-resource/ to view all our online services available to you. If you need help accessing any of these services, Please contact us. Portlaoise library on 057 8622333 or you can email portlaoiselibrary@laoiscoco.ie

If you would like to join any of our groups and would like further details please contact the library. You can find a full list of our events and activities on our webpage at https://laois.ie/departments/libraries/whats-on/

For further details or to sign up for any of our groups, events and monthly newsletter. Please contact Portlaoise library Tel: 057 8622333 or email: portlaoiselibrary@laoiscoco.ie