Delight in Laois as Minister cuts the ribbon on new €7.5 million Portlaoise Library

Nearly 10 years after it was announced that Portlaoise Library the Minister for Rural and Community has cut the ribbon on the €7.5 million new facility in the heart of Portlaoise.

Minister Heather Humphreys officially opened the library on the site of the former Shaws Department Store on Main Street on Tuesday, July 17. 

“I’m delighted to officially open Ireland’s newest library facility – a €7.5 million state-of-the-art project in the heart of Portlaoise.

 “This facility is on the site of an old Department store. And now, it has been totally transformed for 21st century use," she said.

The premises on Lyster Square was probably never fit for the purpose it was used for. The people of the county town deserved better while staff were also entitled to work in a up to date facility to allow them to deliver a modern library service.

The new building includes a local studies centre, an ICT room, staff offices, events area and an exhibition space. It has a series of interconnecting rooms both single height and double height, lined with bookcases, reading desks and galleries, offering a combination of calm study areas and animated public spaces. The old Shaws corner pediment was recreated in the new design.

The building also serves as the Laois Library Service HQ.

The Minister also unveiled the new ‘National Public Library Strategy - The Library is the Place.’ 

“This strategy sets out 66 concrete actions that we will deliver over the next five years.

“We will treble the number of ‘My Open library’ facilities to over 90. These are facilities that can be accessed 365 days of the year.

“We will deliver an ambitious library capital programme underpinned by unprecedented investment from my Department.

“We will provide every library user in the country with access to a book club.

“And we will significantly increase the activities available in our libraries – from computer and language classes to arts and craft.

“I really believe ‘The Library is the Place’ will transform our libraries facilities for the better – benefiting all members of our community regardless of their age or ability.”