Extending Access, Strengthening Community: The Edgeworthstown Library Story

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July 15, 2026

Challenge

Edgeworthstown Library was created to be the heart of the community, but had limited opening hours which restricted access. In a commuter town with no secondary school, many students arrived after closing time, missing study space and resources. There was a clear need for safer, extended, flexible access for the whole community.

Solution

Bibliotheca’s open+ technology enabled My Open Library, extending secure access from 8am to 10pm, seven days a week. Users can access study spaces, Wi-Fi, computers, printing and collections. The service transforms the library into a flexible, community-driven space that fits around people’s lives, not just staffed opening hours.

Result

Usage doubled within four months in 2026. Students now use the library as a study hub, while families and older residents benefit from flexible access. Demand continues during closures, including 95 Easter weekend visits. The library is now a vibrant, always-accessible community hub driving learning, connection and town-centre activity.

9 July 2026

Opened in 2021, Edgeworthstown Library was designed with a clear ambition from the very beginning: to create a true community hub in the heart of the town.

As highlighted by the team, “the community in Edgeworthstown gifted the site to Longford County Council. They wanted the library to be the heart of their community.” That vision has shaped every part of the building and the service within it.

A library in the right place, for the right reasons

Location has played a defining role in the library’s success. Situated on Main Street in the centre of Edgeworthstown’s economic core, the library is highly visible, easily accessible, and closely connected to transport links and local amenities.

As the team explained, “the location was vital… the library is located near transport links, and there is a big community car park behind the library.”

The building is also shared with the Edgeworthstown District Development Association (EDDA), reinforcing its role as a central community support space where services and people come together.

A space people want to spend time in

From the moment visitors enter, the design sets the tone. Light-filled interiors, double-height windows, and warm oak finishes create a welcoming and calm environment.

“Having a light-filled space… creates a warm and welcoming space for people to visit,” the team shared. “Some people come just to ‘be in’ the space, and then the library resources draw people in.”

Across three levels, the library offers clearly defined zones for children, teens, adults, study, local history, and community activity — ensuring every user can find their place within the building.

Designed for families, learning and community life

The children’s library is a standout example of how design supports engagement and early learning. With sensory walls, reading trees, interactive features and open spaces for play-based learning, it has become a destination for families.

“The ethos of this space is fun. Learning via play is a great way of encouraging learning and creating life-defining memories,” the team said.

Beyond the children’s area, flexible community spaces host everything from exercise classes and exhibitions to training sessions and book clubs, reinforcing the library’s role as a true community anchor.

“People often comment on how positive it is to see the library building illuminated in the evenings and occupied by students and other users.”

— Kim Taylor, Librarian at Edgeworthstown Library

Modern study area inside Edgeworthstown Library, County Longford, Ireland, with flexible seating and bright spaces for independent learning.

Library member using My Open Library access with Bibliotheca open+ to enter Edgeworthstown Library outside staffed opening hours.

Community area inside Edgeworthstown Library featuring flexible seating and open spaces for events, learning and local activities.

Library member using a Bibliotheca self-service kiosk at Edgeworthstown Library, County Longford, Ireland, to borrow and manage library items independently.

Inside Edgeworthstown Library: bright, flexible spaces designed to support reading, study, learning and community life.

Extending access with My Open Library and open+

From the outset, the ambition was to go further than traditional opening hours.

“With no secondary school in Edgeworthstown, students arrive in town just before staffed hours finish,” the team explained. “A more flexible approach was required.”

Through Bibliotheca’s open+ technology and My Open Library service, registered members can now access the library from 8am to 10pm, seven days a week — extending access to 96 hours per week.

This has transformed how the library is used, particularly by students, families, and lifelong learners who rely on flexible access to study, read, and connect.

Real impact in the community

The results have been immediate and significant. “Demand was immediate and exceeded expectations,” with usage doubling within the first four months of 2026.

Even during traditionally closed periods, usage remained strong, including 95 visits over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend and continued activity during Christmas closures.

Perhaps most importantly, the library has changed how the town feels. “People often comment on how positive it is to see the library building illuminated in the evenings and occupied by students and other users.”

Edgeworthstown Library is a vibrant community hub where people of all ages come to read, study, learn and connect.

A library that redefined access

Edgeworthstown Library is now far more than a building. It is a place of connection, learning and opportunity — open when the community needs it most.

“My Open Library has transformed the perception of what a library can be,” the team reflected. “It has become an integral part of daily life for many members of the community.”

By combining a thoughtfully designed space with Bibliotheca’s open+ technology, Edgeworthstown has created a library that truly lives up to its purpose: a heart of the community, open for all.