Portlaoise library about to open its doors from morning to night 365 days a year, without staff
Radical change in use ahead as self service nears launch at Laois county library
After a decade in the planning, overcoming initial staff and county councillor opposition, Portlaoise library is about to open its doors every night of the week up to 10pm, with no staff.
The Laois county library will follow last year’s launch in Portarlington library of the unmanned My Open Library service.
While staff will be present in their normal working hours, the public will be able to use the building before and after those hours.
Members will be able to unlock the doors to borrow and return books, print, photocopy, use the internet, the WiFi and the study space, seven days a week, from 8am to 10pm, 365 days of the year. Under 16s must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Laois Libraries which has libraries in eight towns, will open the self service in Portlaoise library this year.
“We are working with the Health and safety office in Laois County Council, IT section, our access control and security services provider and other stakeholders to ensure that the required safety and security protocols are in place before starting the service. We expect high demand for the service.
“Portarlington has been providing My Open Library since 2025 and the service has been operating successfully,” the Library service said.
The update was given in reply to a motion asking for the initiative, by Cllr Marie Tuohy at the June meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District.
Cllr Tuohy says it’s “good news”.
“Nationally this is in 30 libraries. You can register your interest and after induction you get a card and a PIN.
“There’s so many benefits for this. For people that are commuting, the late evenings would be great to be able to go to the library with your kids. It could act as a hot desk working space, it’s a great study area, there’s resources there.
“It’s also an ideal meeting space. It will be a great addition to all libraries around the county at some stage,” Cllr Tuohy said.
Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley seconded and agrees.
“I was aware that Portarlington had the facility and it’s great to hear that that’s been successful. And why not, in the largest town in the county.
“We’ve a fantastic facility there. It’s completely different to a library I knew growing up. It’s very open space for families, young people, elderly, it’s absolutely phenomenal. I hope we’ll be able to get this in place,” Cllr Dwane Stanley said.
Cllr Tommy Mulligan noted “it’s great to see the library doing so well”.
“There’s a great buzz and atmosphere in the place,” he said.
Cllr Barry Walsh agrees.
“Libraries are multi-functional spots now. People go in to chat, read the paper, kids go to study. Our libraries are hugely important focal points for all towns,” he said.
It is a turnabout from a decade ago when Laois councillors voted to indefinitely suspend a plan to leave libraries open late with no staff, with predictions that it would spell the beginning of the end for libraries.
“They are not safe. Human interaction would disappear for the sake of two extra staff,” Cllr James Kelly had said in 2016 when proposing the indefinite suspension.
Back then the My Open Space was planned to open in January 2017 in Portarlington, with €31,165 of state funds allocated for the security system. The town was picked to be first in Laois because of its high commuter population.
Laois library staff had thanked councillors for backing them at that time.
“"Our fear is that when the next recession comes and we retire, they would increase staffless hours until the library service collapses,” one worker had said.