The library is dedicated to the memory of Monsignor P.J. Brophy BD (1919–1998) who was born at Castlemore in the parish of Ballon/Rathoe. Msgr. Brophy was President of Carlow College from 1970–1974. As the library bears his name, it also seeks to emulate his personal commitment, his breadth of vision for the Church and his openness to new ideas that are so necessary to the learning experience of our students.
The library itself was open to students at the start of the 2006 Academic Year and was officially dedicated by the then Uachtarán na hÉireann, Mary McAleese, on 19 December that same year. The library structure is housed inside the Sacred Heart Chapel, built in 1888 and designed by the architect, William Hague.
Today it is a thriving centre of learning activities, providing a wide range of services and resources to support the learning, teaching and research activities of the Institute. The library provides access to over 22,000 print books and over 170,000 eBooks which can be accessed from the college or at home. We also provide access to online journal articles, reports, official publications, theses, and newspapers which can be accessed either in the Library or through the Library catalogue.
The Keeffe Library served as the main college library from 1820 to 1994 and now serves as our reference Library. It houses over 7,500 print books including early print material dating from the 1700s.
The Keeffe Library is currently closed.