About

Our Mission Statement

To provide a responsive, accessible and inclusive library service for all our customers, which fosters reading, stimulates the imagination and contributes to lifelong learning and cultural recreation.

History of Sligo Library

In September 1880 Sligo Library was declared open in the Town Hall. In the first report from the librarian David Saultry, it is stated that the book stocks were at the 1,200 mark and that an average of 110 persons were using the service daily. In 1923, the Carnegie Trust commenced the organisation of a County Library Scheme in Sligo at the request of Sligo County Council and Sligo clergymen. Consequentially, they took over the running of the library. Within a few months of the takeover, book stocks had risen to over 2000 volumes and almost twenty new distribution centres had been established. These were for the greater part located in national schools throughout the county.

By the year 1925 the library’s stock had reached 4000 volumes and it had sixty distribution centres. The space in the Town Hall was no longer sufficient and so the library relocated to the rear of the Model School. In the Autumn of 1925 Sligo County Council took full responsibility of the library. At that time it was only the second County in Ireland and the first in Connaught to have its own library service. The space available to the library became an issue once again in 1931. It was no longer adequate for the library’s needs. Another room in the same building was rented from the Department of Education.

The service continued to grow and in 1952 with a book stock of 40,000 it needed to relocate yet again. The library moved to The Independent Church on Stephen Street in the town centre where it is still located today.

Sligo Library in 2022

Sligo Central Library is located on Stephen Street in Sligo town, with Community Libraries in Ballymote and Tubbercurry, a Branch Library in Enniscrone, as well as a mobile library service.

Membership is free and available online.

Lending services include a comprehensive adult and juvenile collection, AV material and DVDs.

A shared library catalogue with all public libraries in Ireland means items in a collection of over 12 million titles can be reserved and collected from your local branch.

The Local Studies collection of over 10,000 items, including a local newspaper archive, is a well-used resource for students, researchers and historians.

Free eServices available online www.sligolibrary.ie include;

• eBooks and eAudiobooks  –  1000’s of titles on BorrowBox app
• eMagazines – over 3000 full content magazines on Libby app
• eNewspapers – over 7000 global newspapers on Press Reader app
• eLanguages  –  over 110 languages available on Transparent Languages app
• eLearning  – over 400 courses available online

Free WiFi, PC access and printing facilities are available in each Sligo Library branch with remote printing and 3D printing available from selected branches.

A programme of events and workshops for children and adults run in all branches including author visits, storytelling, craft, coding, robotics, 3D printing, micro:bits programming, board games, toddle time, lego technics, documentary clubs, knitting and stitching club, ceramics, needle felt, lectures, digital skills, creative writing, book clubs and The Word monthly literary event.

Events are also scheduled for national programmes delivered by Sligo Libraries;

• Right to Read
• Healthy Ireland at Your Library
• Work Matters
• Europe Direct
• Digitise the Nation
• Decade of Centenaries

Services to schools include teacher cards, library tours and staff presentations, assistance with project and research queries, open night library stands, reading passports, book clubs, books in a box loans and class novel loans, events for Seachtain na Gaeilge, Engineer’s Week, Biodiversity Week, Sustainable Development Goals Week, Science Festival, Children’s Book Festival, seasonal and STEAM events.