Cumberland Council has officially appointed Krol Corlett Construction Limited as the lead contractor for the £3.3 million redevelopment of Carlisle Library.

The transformation, funded by the UK Government's Carlisle Town Deal, aims to turn the library into a state-of-the-art learning and community hub, designed to meet the evolving needs of modern users.

The redevelopment will introduce a dedicated children's zone, social spaces, adult learning classrooms, study areas, and a display area for The Jackson Collection. Alongside these new features, the building will undergo structural enhancements, rewiring, and technology upgrades to improve accessibility and digital capabilities.


To ensure uninterrupted access to library services during the redevelopment, a temporary library space has been set up within the existing building. The first floor will remain open, featuring an extensive fiction section, while the second floor is closed for refurbishment.

Digital services, including the Borrowbox app, will continue as usual, allowing residents to access a wide range of books and resources online. Additionally, the Adult Learning Service has temporarily relocated to the Civic Centre in Carlisle, where its operations will continue without disruption.