One County, One Book is an initiative that encourages people in Laois to read and discuss the same book together in their communities, libraries, workplaces and schools. The book chosen for this month is Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan, which has just recently been shortlisted for the prestigious Booker Prize. The library service has a large number of copies available to the public to request in branches, in addition to online through our Borrowbox app. We are currently working with book clubs and schools across the county to ensure that as many people as possible get a chance to read. Claire Keegan will also be visiting Laois for the upcoming Leaves Festival in November to take part in readings and workshops, with more information available here.
We have recently started lending the Codema Home Energy Saving Kits in our branches for a two-week period. With 5 easy-to-use tools and 6 practical exercises, this kit allows you to get a better understanding of the energy usage in your home, problem areas that may need your attention and ways to improve energy efficiency. The kits are available in Portlaoise, Portarlington, Mountmellick, Abbeyleix, Mountrath, Rathdowney and Durrow – contact the libraries directly to request a kit. Click here for more information.
Laois Libraries has a very active social media presence on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Twitter and TikTok. Follow along for updates on all library events, watch videos of our storytimes, baby book clubs, crafts and book reviews, and much more. Click on the icons below to take a look!
As always, our range of free online services are available including eBook, eAudiobooks, newspapers, magazines, language classes, online courses and more. For information about these services, please contact your local library or visit https://laois.ie/departments/libraries/.
Laois Libraries Online Book Club reads one book a month chosen from the BorrowBox collection. Join us on the last Wednesday of each month when questions are posed for discussion on our Book Club Facebook page. You can join the group via this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/315513126404037. New members are always welcome.
Here are some of the free events, activities and clubs taking place in our libraries throughout November – contact the libraries directly for more information or to book a place!
Abbeyleix Library – Call 057 8730020 or email abbeyleixlibrary@laoiscoco.ie
Staying Connected @ the Library – If you are interested in learning more about your smartphone, tablet, iPad or laptop, register your name with the library for the upcoming series of classes taking place on Friday mornings at 11am. Classes will run on 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th November.
Kids Coding Workshop – taking place on Thurs, 10th Nov at 5pm. Do you have a child interested in computer coding, gaming and other applications? Register your interest by calling or emailing the library.
Geology Workshop – a children’s workshop on rock and fossil identification will take place on Sat, 19th Nov at 12noon. Learn about different Irish rock types, try to identify samples and take a look at Irish fossils! The session will be followed by a short art and craft session. Register your interest by calling or emailing the library. All welcome!
Lego Freeplay – Lego freeplay sessions for children take place every Thursday evening from 4pm-5pm. All welcome!
Junior Chess Club – the junior chess club is up and running in Abbeyleix Library! Join us in the library every Saturday morning at 10am to test your logic skills and battle it out with other chess enthusiasts.
Adult Book Club – meets on the last Thursday of the month at 6:30pm. Next meeting takes place on Thurs, 24th Nov.
Knitting Group – the group meet every Tuesday morning at 10:30am. All levels of skill are welcome to come along for chats and tea.
Art Gallery – the gallery is hosting an exhibition by Abbeyleix Photography Club for November. The exhibition contains a mix of photographs taken by enthusiasts from landscapes, animals and portraits taken locally. A launch of the exhibition will take place on Thurs, 3rd Nov at 6pm. All welcome!
Durrow Library – Call 057 8736090 or email durrowlibrary@laoiscoco.ie
Eating As We Age Talk – As part of Healthy Ireland, join Laura Mahony from LM Nutrition on Tues, 1st Nov at 6:30pm as she discusses healthy eating as we age. Call or email the library for more details. Booking advised.
Halloween Craft Table – come along to the library for a special Halloween themed kids craft table on Weds, 2nd Nov from 11am-1pm.
Adult Book Club – The club is currently reading the One County, One Book pick of Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan. Next meeting takes place on Tues, 8th Nov at 6pm. All welcome.
Lego Creation Competition – Calling all master builders! Join us in the library on Wednesdays from 2pm-4pm for a different Lego building challenge each week. Booking advised.
• On 2nd Nov, have fun at a free play Lego session.
• On 9th Nov, join forces with one another to create “The Great Wall of Lego”.
• On 16th Nov, join forces to create a big MEGA race course.
Irish Circle – the Irish Circle group will meet up in the library on Tues, 15th Nov, Tues, 22nd Nov and Tues, 29th Nov at 6:30pm. Call or email the library for more details.
Storytime and Craft – Join Amy in the library on Weds, 23rd Nov at 2:15pm for a reading of Barry, the Fish with Fingers and a special craft. Call or email the library for more details.
Santa Letter Workshop – Come along to the library for a Christmas workshop to write your letter to Santa on Weds, 30th Nov from 2pm-4pm. You will also get a chance to post your letter in the special library post box for delivery to the North Pole! Booking advised.
Mountmellick Library – Call 057 8644572 or email mountmellicklibrary@laoiscoco.ie
Kids Cooking Workshop – join Deirdre Doyle from the Cool Food School for this special Halloween themed cookery workshop on Thurs, 3rd Nov at 12:30pm. Learn how to make spooky apples and curious oranges. Don’t forget to come dressed in your finest Halloween costume! Booking essential, call or email the library for more details.
Adult Book Club – Next meeting taking place on Fri, 18th Nov at 11am. All welcome.
Junior Book Club – Next meeting taking place on Tues, 22nd Nov at 4pm. Suitable for ages 8-12 years.
Baby Book Club – The club aims to encourage sound awareness using action rhymes, songs and stories for ages 0-3 years. Takes place every Tuesday morning at 10:30am.
Lego Free Play – every Saturday morning in the library from 10:30am – 12:30pm. Drop in and create together!
Sensory Toy Resource Collection – a service for parents of children with additional needs who live in Co. Laois. The toys are designed to support the development of gross motor skills, fine motor skills and communication skills. Take a look at the resource booklet here.
Sensory Room at Mountmellick Library – This service is for use by children and adults with additional needs along with their parent/carer. Following registration with a supply letter, the room can be booked for 30-minute slots. Contact the library for more details.
Tovertafel Magic Table – the table has interactive light projection games specially designed for those with dementia, cognitive challenges, autism and learning difficulties. The projections respond to the touch of the players. Booking is essential for 30-minute slots.
Art Gallery – The gallery is delighted to host Marie Claire Keague’s art exhibition for the month of November. Marie Claire creates paintings that evoke a time and place through the use of colour and texture, inspired by her travels and by nature and its contrasts. She is a Fine Art graduate of Dun Laoghaire College of Art and Design and has lived in Africa, Australia and Belgium. She has now settled in Tipperary.
Mountrath Library – Call 057 8756378 or email mountrathlibrary@laoiscoco.ie
Adult Book Club – the club is currently reading the One County, One Book pick Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan. Next meeting takes place on Thurs, 3rd Nov at 6:15pm. New members always welcome!
Junior Book Club – The Junior Graphic Novel Book Club will next meet on Thurs, 3rd Nov at 4pm to chat about City of Dragons: The Awakening Storm by Jaimal Yogis. The group meets fortnightly, next meeting will take place on Thurs, 17th Nov. Suitable for ages 9-12 years old. New members welcome!
Lego Freeplay – Freeplay Lego session will take place on Sat, 5th Nov from 11am-12pm. Call or email the library to book a place.
Halloween Cats Search and Find – Find the Halloween cats hidden around the library from Thurs, 27th Oct to Sat, 5th Nov!
Dinosaur Slumber Party – Bring your toy dinosaur along to the library for a special dinosaur weekend slumber party on Fri, 4th Nov. 5 star accommodation guaranteed for all your T-Rexs and Triceratops! Our CCTV cameras will monitor all the fun activites the dinosaurs get up to over the weekend and you can check out our photo display the next week. There will also be a dinosaur balloon craft all day on Fri, 4th Nov. No booking required, just pop in on the day!
Ciorcal Comhrá – Deardaoin, 10ú Samhain ag 6.15pm go 7.30pm. Bígí linn le comhrá as Gaeilge agus cupán tae!
Introduction to Art – join artist Billy Dollard for a free ‘Introduction to Art’ talk on Tues, 22nd Nov from 10am-12pm. Booking essential, call or email the library for more details.
Puppet Storytime – as part of Family Time at your Library, we welcome puppeteer Julie Rose McCormack for a special storytime session on Sat, 26th Nov at 11am. Suitable for children aged 8 and under. Booking essential, call or email the library for more details.
Christmas Wreath Decoration – Hazel Duffy from the LOETB will give a special Christmas wreath making demonstration in the library on Weds, 30th Nov at 11am. Booking advised, call or email the library for more details.
Knitting Group – the group meets every Friday morning from 11am-1pm – all skill levels welcome. Light refreshments provided!
Portarlington Library – Call 057 8643751 or email portarlingtonlibrary@laoiscoco.ie
Spooky Storytime – join us for a spooky storytime for ages 3-8 years, on Weds, 2nd Nov at 3pm. Call or email the library to book your place.
Staying Connected @ the Library – If you are interested in learning more about your smartphone, tablet, iPad or laptop, register your name with the library for the upcoming series of classes taking place on Thursday mornings at 10:30am for 6 weeks, starting on Thurs, 3rd Nov.
Adult Art Classes – a 5-week adult art course with artist Billy Dollard is starting on Tues, 8th Nov from 10am-12noon. Booking essential, call or email the library to register your place.
Baby Sign Classes – as part of our Parenting Support programme, Clever Little Handies are running a 4-week course on baby sign language, starting on Weds, 9th Nov at 11:40am. Booking essential, call or email the library to register your place.
Rediscover the Magic of Reading for Children – as part of the Leaves Festival, join book doctor Becky Long from Children’s Books Ireland at this talk for parents full of tips and helpful information to encourage your child to rediscover the magic of reading. Taking place on Sat, 12th Nov at 11am. Call or email the library for more details.
Adult Book Club – meets on the last Tuesday of the month at 11am. This month’s book is the One County, One Book pick Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan and the next meeting will take place on Tues, 29th Nov. New members always welcome!
Junior Book Club – meets on the last Wednesday of the month at 6pm. Next meeting takes place on Weds, 30th Oct. Suitable for ages 9-12 years old. Places are limited, so booking is essential.
Cards in the Community – meets every Tuesday morning at 11am. Play popular card games for fun.
Knitting Group – meets every Friday morning at 10:30am. All skill levels from beginner to advanced are welcome!
Sensory Toy Resource Collection – a service for parents of children with additional needs who live in Co. Laois. The toys are designed to support the development of gross motor skills, fine motor skills and communication skills. Take a look at the resource booklet here.
Portlaoise Library – Call 05786 22333 or email portlaoiselibrary@laoiscoco.ie
Sound Story Workshop – as part of the Parenting Support programme, musician Adriana Von Runic will provide a sound story workshop for babies and toddlers on Thurs, 3rd Nov at 3pm with interactive stories, music and sound. Booking essential, call or email the library to register a place.
Robotics Workshop – using specialised Lego kits, TechSteps will show you how to build a snail that glows, a windmill, a roaming space rover and a spy robot. Learn basic coding and see how it’s used in the real world. Taking place on Fri, 4th Nov with 2 workshops available: 10am-11:30am for ages 8-11 years and 12pm-1:30pm for ages 12-14 years. Booking essential, call or email the library to register a place.
Lego Club – Lego Freeplay will take place on Sat, 5th Nov from 11am-1pm. All welcome!
Chair Yoga – chair yoga is a gentle form of yoga that can be done while sitting. Classes will begin on Thurs, 10th Nov at 6pm and continue for 5 weeks. A blanket and mat is required for each class. Booking essential.
Author Visit – As part of the Leaves Festival, author Ronan Hession will visit Portlaoise Library on Sat, 12th Nov at 12noon. Join Ronan in conversation with Midlands 103 Radio presenter Claire O’Brien. Booking essential, call or email the library for more details.
Podcasting for Teens – as part of Europe Direct, join Createschool as they host an introduction to podcasting workshop for teenagers on Sat, 26th Nov at 11am. Learn how to generate ideas and script a short podcast, how to find and record your voice, how to edit on mobile devices, add music and create a logo! Booking essential, call or email the library to register your place.
Adult Evening Book Club – meets on the first Wednesday of the month. Next meeting takes place on Weds, 2nd Nov at 6:30pm. All welcome to join!
Young Adult Online Book Club – join us online for our Young Adult Book Club on Thurs, 3rd Nov at 6pm to discuss your favourite books and different genres. Email portlaoiselibrary@laoiscoco.ie to register for Zoom link details.
Literature at 11 – Featuring poetry and prose readings by library staff members, along with tea, coffee and chats, the next Literature at 11 meeting will take place on Thurs, 10th Nov at 11am. All are welcome!
Genealogy Club – Join the club at Portlaoise Library to chat with family history enthusiasts, learn from their experiences and share your own unique family history stories. Next meetings taking place on Thurs, 17th Nov at 7pm. Call or email the library for more information.
Baby Book Club – uses songs, stories, books and rhymes to build a foundation to literacy in your baby and toddler through sound awareness for ages 0-3 years. Meets fortnightly – next meeting takes place on Thurs, 17th Nov at 10:30am.
Chapter One Book Club – the adult morning book club meets on the last Friday of every month. Next meeting taking place on Fri, 25th Nov at 11am. Booking advised.
Radioactive Readers Book Club – for ages 6-9 years. The book club meets monthly on Thursdays. Next meeting taking place on Thurs, 24th Nov at 4pm. Booking advised.
Armchair Adventures Book Club – for ages 10-12 years. Join us for monthly chats and fun activities on the last Friday of every month! Next meeting on Fri, 25th Nov at 4pm. Booking advised.
Knitting Circle – The Knitting Circle meets every Wednesday morning at 11am – all skill levels are welcome!
Ciorcal Comhrá – Come along for some Irish conversation and chat every Wednesday evening at 5:30pm – for all levels, from beginners to advanced.
Rathdowney Library – Call 0505 46852 or email rathdowneylibrary@laoiscoco.ie
Robotics Workshop – using specialised Lego kits, TechSteps will show you how to build a snail that glows, a windmill, a roaming space rover and a spy robot. Learn basic coding and see how it’s used in the real world. Taking place on Fri, 4th Nov at 2:30pm. Booking essential, call or email the library for more details.
Sensory Toys and Playtime – As part of the Healthy Ireland programme, Eleanor Glennon will deliver a talk on sensory toys and playtime with your child. Taking place on Mon, 7th Nov at 7pm. Booking advised, contact the library to register your place.
Adult Book Club – the club is currently reading the Once County, One Book pick Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan and Constellations by Sinead Gleeson. Next meeting on Monday, 14th Nov at 8pm.
Junior Chess Club – our brand new chess club for ages 9+ takes place in the library on Thursday evenings from 7pm to 8pm. Call or email the library for more details.
Stradbally Library – Call 057 8641673 or email stradballylibrary@laoiscoco.ie
Talking Art Classes – join artist Sarah Delaney and explore artworks from the Irish Museum of Modern Art and Laois County Council Art Collection on Weds in November from 10:30am-12noon. There will be a free Talking Art pack for each participant! Booking advised, call or email the library for more details.
Staying Connected @ the Library – If you are interested in learning more about your smartphone, tablet, iPad or online library resource, register your interest for the upcoming sessions with the library by phone or email. Will be taking place on Thursdays in November from 1pm-2:30pm.
Writing Group – pop into the library on Wednesdays from 2pm-3pm to join our new, informal writing group for all levels. All welcome!
Knitting & Crochet Club – the club meets every week on Tuesday evenings at 6:30pm. All levels are welcome.
Junior Lego Club – every Saturday morning from 10:15am-11:15am. Booking essential. Call the library for more details.
