History of Kerry Library
The Public Libraries Act was adopted by Kerry County Council in 1925, making the Local Authority responsible for all libraries in the county, except Listowel (which operated under a Trust until 1953). Prior to this, grants had been received from the Carnegie Trust for the erection of Carnegie Library buildings at Cahirciveen, Castleisland, Dingle, Kenmare, Killorglin, Listowel and Tralee. The Library service in Cahirciveen, Dingle, Castleisland and Kenmare still operates from these original or reconstructed buildings.
In September 1983, the new County Library Headquarters and Tralee Branch Library were opened. This gave a major boost to the Library Service and provided facilities for a modern Library Service to meet future educational, social, cultural and recreational needs of the community.
The new purpose built library in Killarney opened to the public in August 1980. Killarney Library with its wide ranging facilities is a focal point of cultural activity in the community. Lectures, displays and children's activities all form a major part of the library programme. It has established contact with schools, local festivals and community events.
A purpose built library opened in Killorglin in 1976. The library was an ideal location at the junction to the Iveragh Peninsula and is adjacent to a tourist information point. This library was in turn demolished in 2005 to make way for a new library cum area services centre for the Killorglin area and opened to the public at Library Place on 28 November 2006. It was officially opened by Minister John O'Donoghue on 4 May 2007.
In May 1995, a new library, designed to modern standards, was opened in Listowel. The Library forms part of a Civic Centre with the Listowel Urban District Council Offices, Courthouse and Library all facing on to an attractive courtyard. Listowel has a strong literary tradition and the library is an important venue for lectures and literary activities throughout the year, particularly during the annual Writers Week Festival.
A new library opened at Castleisland in 2008 as part of Kerry County Council Area Office developments.
The mobile service was first introduced in the county in 1976 and operated very successfully until 1988, when it was discontinued. This service was re-introduced in 2001 to meet the needs of people not within easy reach of branch libraries. A second Mobile Library was introduced in 2004. The Mobile Libraries stop at 89 locations in total throughout the county and provide an important community service in rural areas.
In September 1983, the new County Library Headquarters and Tralee Branch Library were opened. This gave a major boost to the Library Service and provided facilities for a modern Library Service to meet future educational, social, cultural and recreational needs of the community.
The new purpose built library in Killarney opened to the public in August 1980. Killarney Library with its wide ranging facilities is a focal point of cultural activity in the community. Lectures, displays and children's activities all form a major part of the library programme. It has established contact with schools, local festivals and community events.
A purpose built library opened in Killorglin in 1976. The library was an ideal location at the junction to the Iveragh Peninsula and is adjacent to a tourist information point. This library was in turn demolished in 2005 to make way for a new library cum area services centre for the Killorglin area and opened to the public at Library Place on 28 November 2006. It was officially opened by Minister John O'Donoghue on 4 May 2007.
In May 1995, a new library, designed to modern standards, was opened in Listowel. The Library forms part of a Civic Centre with the Listowel Urban District Council Offices, Courthouse and Library all facing on to an attractive courtyard. Listowel has a strong literary tradition and the library is an important venue for lectures and literary activities throughout the year, particularly during the annual Writers Week Festival.
A new library opened at Castleisland in 2008 as part of Kerry County Council Area Office developments.
The mobile service was first introduced in the county in 1976 and operated very successfully until 1988, when it was discontinued. This service was re-introduced in 2001 to meet the needs of people not within easy reach of branch libraries. A second Mobile Library was introduced in 2004. The Mobile Libraries stop at 89 locations in total throughout the county and provide an important community service in rural areas.
