Culture & Imagination
Cork City Libraries provide a rich selection of novels, poetry and musical recordings of all types. If we haven’t got what you need, we can usually get it for you from another library. We try to improve the resources and services of Cork City Libraries continually. The library is a very worthwhile place to visit. You might be surprised to find what’s available here. Why not call in and see for yourself?
Reading resources
As well as recently published books, journals, newspapers, magazines, Cork City Libraries is the first port of call for reading materials which can be accessed freely, with no obligation to purchase or to pay an entrance fee. We also provide a huge range of material now out of print.
Gaelic culture & literature
Cork City Libraries supports Gaelic language & literature. As well as books in Irish, we hold a number of current and back numbers of periodicals and newspapers in Irish.
Space for reading
All visitors to Cork City Libraries are welcome to avail of our free and welcoming public reading spaces
Special activities
Contact your local library or see what’s on in your library. These activities include:
- exhibitions & workshops
- social & cultural activities
- recitals & gramophone circles
- book clubs / reading groups
- summer activities
Music — recorded & printed
For information on our extensive music recordings and information on music, go to our Rory Gallagher Music Library page. Our local libraries throughout the city also provide a limited collection of music CDs for borrowing.
Art & architecture
Each of our library premises houses information on art. The Central Library, especially our Reference Department, holds a wide range of material on art & architecture, in book form and in journals.
Sports
Our Local Studies department houses much information on the history of local sport, in books and newspapers. Much of this information is readily found through our in-house indexes.
What’s on
Select our What’s On link for information on cultural and other activities in Cork City Libraries and beyond.
Public meeting rooms
The Thomas Davis Room in our Central Library and the community rooms/spaces in our Tory Top, Bishopstown, Douglas, and Blackpool libraries provide facilities for public meetings, talks, and other events.
Resources for creative expression
Cork City Libraries maintains an extensive cultural resource in printed form for the benefit of all citizens. We continue to provide resources to support artistic and creative expression of citizens, including students and those professionally engaged in cultural activities.