Cumberland Council is advising residents that Carlisle Library will temporarily close from Monday 23 March as the final major stage of refurbishment works gets underway. The newly improved library is expected to reopen in mid-June 2026.
This £3.3 million transformative project, funded by the UK Government’s Carlisle Town Deal with additional investment from Cumberland Council, will deliver a modern, accessible and welcoming library space for all.
The temporary closure will allow essential construction and reconfiguration work to take place on Level 2, marking an important milestone as the project moves into its final phase. These works will deliver a modern, flexible and welcoming environment for residents of all ages. During this period, teams will be installing new fixtures and fittings, moving stock, and completing remaining infrastructure improvements across the building, following significant progress already achieved on Levels 1 and 3.
Refurbishment timeline:
Monday 23 March until Monday 30 March
Carlisle Library will be closed to the public.
From Monday 30 March until mid-June 2026
The limited temporary reception service will open on Level 3, providing hearing aid batteries, parking discs, Blue Badge forms, bus pass services and book requests and returns.
Levels 1 and 2 of Carlisle Library will be closed to the public entirely.
Browsing, printing, scanning, photocopying and PC access unavailable.
From mid-June 2026
A phased reopening of Carlisle Library will begin, more details about this will be shared closer to the time.
Cumberland Councillor Anne Quilter, Executive Member for Vibrant and Healthy Places, said:
“This refurbishment is a major investment in Carlisle’s future and will deliver a brighter, more welcoming and more accessible library for local people. We appreciate residents’ patience during this temporary closure and look forward to opening a modern space that supports learning, wellbeing, creativity and community life for years to come.”
David Wright, Chair of the Carlisle Town Deal Board, added:
“The transformation of Carlisle Library is a key part of the Town Deal’s vision to revitalise the city centre. This project will provide high-quality facilities that benefit residents, visitors and local businesses. We’re delighted to see the refurbishment moving into its final stages and look forward to celebrating its reopening this summer.”
Updates on the refurbishment, service changes and reopening information will be shared through Cumberland Libraries’ social media channels and the project webpage.
For enquiries, residents can contact the library team at [email protected] .