Cumberland Council is reminding residents that Carlisle Library closes its doors for a month as it prepares for an exciting £3.3 million regeneration project.
This transformative project, funded from the UK Government’s Carlisle Town Deal with additional investment from Cumberland Council, aims to revitalise Carlisle Library into a cutting-edge learning and community hub. The redesigned library will feature state-of-the-art facilities and services tailored to the needs of today’s users.
The project includes a complete overhaul of the library, with structural work, rewiring, and infrastructure updates to support modern technology. Planned features include a children’s zone, social spaces, adult learning classrooms, study areas, and a display for The Jackson Collection.
To prepare for construction, the library will close at the end of the day on Saturday 25 January, with work expected to last 10–12 months. By the end of February, a temporary library space will open in part of the existing building, ensuring continued access to key services during the construction period.
In the meantime, Cumberland Council has existing service points at library links in Carlisle (Morton Manor, Denton Holme and Harraby Community Centre) as well as at Longtown and Brampton Libraries. These locations will provide access to PCs, book borrowing, and WiFi. For opening times, please visit the Cumberland Council website.
Requests will continue to be processed, and the Borrowbox app and other digital library services will remain available. The Adult Learning Service has relocated to the Civic Centre in Carlisle, where normal services will continue.
Family history resources, including Ancestry and FindMyPast, as well as digital archives from Carlisle Library’s local history collection, will still be available through public library computers. For local history materials, the Carlisle Archive Centre remains open by appointment and offers a wealth of original archives, books, maps, and photographs. For more details about the Archives services, please visit the Cumberland Council website.
Cumberland Council appreciates the community’s patience and support during this temporary closure and looks forward to unveiling a modern library that will serve as a cornerstone of learning and connection. Updates and announcements will be regularly posted on Cumberland Libraries' website and social media.
This project is part of Carlisle’s £19.7 million Town Deal Investment Plan, which also supports other key initiatives like the Carlisle Southern Gateway improvements and enhancements at Tullie. Together, these projects reflect a shared commitment to Carlisle’s growth and vitality.
