UPDATE: KCC reveals when upgrade works are expected to commence on Newbridge Library

A contractor for the project has yet to be appointed

By Ciarán Mather Published 19th Jun 2026, 09:00 BST The front of the Newbridge Library premises. As it is currently closed to the public, the nearby Liffey Lodge is being used as the library's temporary location. | FILE PHOTO A contractor for the project has yet to be appointed Sign up to our Kildare Live newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Kildare Live within your account.

An update released by Kildare County Council (KCC) has revealed when upgrade works are expected to commence on Newbridge Library.

The information was provided to a local councillor at the latest Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District (MD) meeting, which took place on Wednesday, June 17 last.

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The subject of Newbridge Library was raised approximately halfway through the meeting by Social Democrats Cllr Chris Pender.

He submitted the following question to KCC: “Can KCC provide an update on the new Newbridge Library Project, including when works are expected to commence, the current project stage, and whether there have been any barriers or delays preventing works from beginning?”

In response to his query, KCC said via a report it presented at the meeting: “We are currently awaiting Stage 4 approval from the Department in relation to our funding application. Subject to a favourable outcome, we will then be in a position to proceed with the appointment of a contractor.

“It is anticipated that works will commence on site in mid to late Quarter 3 of 2026, with an estimated construction programme of approximately 24 months.”

KCC added: “At present, the primary constraint is the outcome of the funding application, followed by the standard mobilisation period required by the appointed contractor prior to commencement of works.”

Social Democrats Cllr Chris Pender | FILE PHOTO RELATED QUESTION

Shortly after receiving an answer from KCC on his question, Cllr Pender also submitted a related query to KCC about Newbridge Library.

This question read as follows: “Can KCC outline what steps are being taken to maximise public use of the temporary Newbridge Library, particularly in relation to: seating, reading areas, newspapers, story times, book clubs, events, and community activities; and to confirm whether alternative storage arrangements can be considered for books currently stored on site, including stock from Clane, to free up space for public library services?”

Cllr Pender’s query echoes a similar one which was submitted by Sinn Féin Cllr Noel Connolly at the previous MD meeting, in which he asked KCC about its plans for study facilities at the current site of the library, Liffey Lodge.

Regarding Cllr Pender’s question, KCC issued an in-depth answer via the report it provided at the meeting.

KCC had this to say: “The temporary Newbridge Library at Liffey Lodge operates within a constrained footprint, which limits the provision of additional seating, dedicated reading areas, and in-branch programming such as story times and events.

“The building is currently serving a dual purpose; in addition to branch library services, Liffey Lodge is also accommodating key Library Headquarters functions, including the Reader Services team, stock deliveries, cataloguing and processing, and the inter- branch delivery service.

“These essential county-wide operations require significant space and further restrict the capacity to expand public areas or activities.”

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“While the level of service is necessarily more limited than in a full library facility, every effort is being made to provide the best possible service within the available space.

“KCC is fortunate to be in a position to continue operating a library service locally, given that the building is in its ownership.”

Furthermore, KCC said that, ‘within these constraints’, space has been prioritised for core services, which includes access to stock and a limited amount of seating.

However, KCC added: “The current layout does not allow for the safe delivery of group activities indoors.”

KCC elaborated: “The Library Service has communicated the reduced level of provision to regular users and regrets any inconvenience caused.

“These limitations reflect the constraints of the temporary accommodation.

“While the current facility restricts in-library programming, a range of alternative measures are being pursued to support continued community engagement.”

KCC also maintained that, in order to ‘maximise service provision’, the Library Service is:

KCC concluded by asserting that both it and the county’s Library Service ‘remain committed to significantly enhancing provision in Newbridge through the delivery of the new permanent library, archives and cultural centre’, and claimed that the new premises will provide ‘modern, flexible spaces capable of supporting a full programme of events, community activities and expanded public services’.

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Following this, a member of the Library Service who was also present at the meeting spoke and re-emphasised to Cllr Pender that there is limited space in the temporary library.

However, the member also said that the Library Service has been working alongside both Newbridge College and the Town Hall — “We want to bring outreach into the schools and wider community,” they added.

Once the Library Service member concluded their reply, Cllr Pender thanked her and noted that the service ‘does fantastic work’ for the MD.

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