Reference | Tagairt

The Reference Department is situated on the first floor  of the City Library on the Grand Parade. It holds material on business, tourism, health, consumer affairs, careers, history & archaeology, literature, and much more. Everyone is welcome to use our reference, information, and research services.

Any group or class can arrange a visit to the Reference department for a tour and a general overview of the services we offer.  Group visits are available from Tuesday-Friday and can be tailored to the group's needs.  If you are interested in making a group booking please enquire at the Reference desk or phone + 353 21 4924911.

Information | Eolas

Address: 57-61 Grand Parade, Cork T12 NT99

Seoladh: 57-61 Sráid an Chapaill Bhuí, Corcaigh T12 NT99

Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday 10.00 am - 5.30 pm

Contact: Email: reference_library@corkcity.ie | Tel: (021) 492 4911

Public Transport: Many bus routes pass through the city.

All Cork City Libraries are closed on Public Holidays and Bank Holiday Weekends.

Facilities | Áiseanna

• Study Spaces. Please see our Guidelines for Students (pdf)
• Printing and Photocopying
• Wi-Fi and Public Internet
• Scanner
• 3D Printer
• Wheelchair for public use

Collections | Bailiúcháin

The Reference Department holds:

• books, encyclopedias, dictionaries, business directories, official publications, maps;
• books and periodicals on Irish themes — history, travel, archaeology, nature, art, folklore, etc
• current and older files of journals, magazines and Sunday, daily, & weekly newspapers
• general information on British, European, and international topics
• digital information from online databases, such as Britannica online, the Internet and selected CD-ROMs
• files on social welfare entitlements, consumer information, and much more.
• JSTOR — An online archive of academic journals and other scholarly content. Cork City Libraries provides free in-house access to JSTOR's Ireland Collection of almost 100 journals within JSTOR. 

In addition, we hold the following special collections:

• Alf O'Brien Collection (pdf)
• Childcare Collection
• Aruba Coghlan Collection

For information on newspapers held by the Reference Department, visit our Newspapers page.

For information on journals held by the Reference Department, visit our Journals page.

Class Visits | Cuairteanna ó Ranganna

The Reference and Local Studies departments, welcome visits from secondary school students who are preparing research projects. Teachers arrange a class visit and send the list of subjects, that the students are researching, to the library in advance. Library staff will have the relevant material available for the class when they arrive and can also show students how to use the Library Catalogue, enabling them to make fuller use of our extensive resources. Teachers interested in booking a class visit please see our Guidelines for Class Visits (pdf)

Book a space | Spás a chur in áirithe

Available to book subject to Cork City Libraries' Use of Library Spaces Policy

If you would like to book a space please contact the City Library:
Email: libraries@corkcity.ie or Tel: (021) 492 4900